How do you store uncooked rice for a long time?

In this article, we answer the following question: How do you store uncooked rice for a long time? We give you the best tips for storing uncooked and cooked rice for a longer time.

How do you store uncooked rice for a long time?

To store uncooked rice for a long time you have to be sure that it is kept in a place where it is not disturbed by pests or moisture, its main enemies.  Rice is a food that is always present in the pantry of our homes, but do we really know how we have to preserve these seeds so that they last for many months and thus avoid ending up in the garbage?

If you don’t know how to do it and you want the rice to last as long as its expiration date, don’t worry. Now, by following these tips, you will avoid finding those undesirable “bugs” that we have all seen at some point.

Depending on the variety to which it belongs, the rice can last more or less time. It will last at least 18 months, but some varieties even last up to 24 months. Of course, it will last as long as you follow a series of tips, as we have said before, if not, with total security, your favorite food will last less time than expected.

Keep the rice out of humidity and heat 

By all means, you should avoid humidity and heat, since these are the ideal conditions for weevils, the bugs we talked about in the upper lines. But how to do it?

We recommend that you always keep the pantry clean and tidy. These two conditions are essential to keep it isolated from high temperatures. In addition, you must store it in a closed, dry container that is away from heat sources.

What do we have to do if we find those bugs in our rice? 

Under no circumstances do we have to try to remove them and keep the rice, we must throw out all the content and thoroughly clean the container where the seeds were. Only in this way will we avoid putting our health at risk. 

Other FAQs about Rice which you may be interested in.

What can I substitute for rice wine?

Can you eat expired white rice?

What can I substitute for cilantro in rice?

The refrigerator: your ally for keeping uncooked rice for a long time

It is difficult to avoid humidity and heat, especially during the summer months. During this time you can put the container in your refrigerator. Interesting, right? Don’t worry, this action will not have a negative impact on the quality of the beans, you can be sure, it will retain all its properties.

How to preserve cooked rice?

It is not highly recommended for our health and less for too many days, but you can always reuse it for other recipes that you are going to make at the same time.

The most common when it comes to preserving any meal or food is to let it rest at room temperature once it is cooked. Then, when the room temperature has been reached, store it in the refrigerator.

In the case of rice, the best thing you can do, if you have a portion left over for another day, is to put it directly in the refrigerator. This way it will cool down much earlier and you will prevent bacteria from taking over the place.

The other option to keep the rice free of bacteria is not to let it cool down at any time, that is, to keep it always warm, although this is more complicated than the previous option. It may be a restaurant favorite.

If you intend to consume the rice at room temperature, it is best to acidify it. This is what they do with dishes in which rice is required to be at this temperature, for example, rice salads or sushi.

With these tips, you will keep the rice in good condition and you will enjoy this delicious food without risks.

Can you eat expired white rice?

You can safely eat expired white rice. White rice can last for several hundred years if it is not disturbed by pests or moisture. The proof is the provisions made by the pharaohs and found intact after hundreds of years in the pyramids. The rule only applies to white rice. 

The brown one should be consumed in a maximum of six to eight months. That’s because the outer shell of the grain (the one that is removed to make white rice) contains some oils that make it expire much faster. I think this was one of the reasons why the rice was processed and not left as it is given by nature: white rice lasts longer on the shelf, so there are fewer losses and higher profits.

Conclusions

In this article, we answered the following question: How do you store uncooked rice for a long time? We gave you the best tips for storing uncooked and cooked rice for a longer time.

These are our tips so that you can continue enjoying rice for much longer. We want to help you avoid unpleasant situations when it comes to food safety. So don’t think twice, follow our advice and enjoy it every month of the year.

If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!

References

food.com

Who.int

Foodsafety.gov