Boiled rice is not only a tasty and nutritious product that contains vitamins B and PP. It can have a beneficial effect on digestion. Recommended for use by people with gastritis and stomach ulcers due to its ability to coat the walls of the digestive organs. This cereal crop has been cultivated in India and China since ancient times. Today it has spread throughout the world, and is present in the diet of more than half of its inhabitants. Therefore, questions related to the conditions of keeping this grain are very relevant, and we’ll talk about how much and how to store rice further.
How to choose
To make rice storage at home longer, it should be carefully inspected when purchasing. The presence of lumps and foreign inclusions (grains of other cereals, husks, various debris) is not desirable in it. And certainly there should not be any living creatures in the rice (moths, bugs, worms, larvae). To see everything well, it is advisable to choose rice packaged in transparent packaging.
If the package containing the product is made of paper, there is nothing left to do but check the release date, the expiration date guaranteed by the manufacturer and make sure that the product is fresh.
Often loose cereals are rotten, with an unpleasant odor, which is detected already at home. Therefore, it is better to buy the product in hermetically sealed packaging from a manufacturer with a good reputation.
Is there an expiration date and what is it?
Each product, including buckwheat, has its own expiration date, which is necessarily indicated on the packaging. The period may be shorter if :
- there is no integrity and tightness of the packaging;
- temperature conditions have been changed ;
- Ambient humidity does not meet standards.
All these criteria are provided for by law and are the basis for determining the shelf life of the product.
The average shelf life of buckwheat is two years.
How much and how to store rice
Despite the unpretentiousness of this cereal in terms of storage, in order for its quality to be preserved for as long as possible, certain conditions are required. These include:
- compliance with the required temperature conditions;
- humidity level in storage areas;
- taking measures to protect against insect attacks.
The shelf life of rice is approximately 18 months if certain rules are followed. And after grinding the grains, the period increases to several years. Rice should be stored at low humidity and low temperature. The room must be equipped with ventilation and protected from bright light.
Rice storage temperature should be within +5°C -+15°C. The recommended maximum temperature should not exceed +18°C. In this case, the humidity should be at the level of 60 - 70%. These values should be constant, without sudden jumps.
Expiration dates in packaging and after opening
There are no approved standards regarding how long rice is stored before and after opening consumer packaging; it depends on the percentage of humidity, temperature and other climatic indicators.
If we focus on average data regarding shelf life, then the maximum shelf life of cereals after opening is the same as the storage time in the package, provided that storage rules are followed. That is, if the manufacturer specifies a shelf life of 12 months, after the integrity of the packaging is damaged, the cereal can be used within a year.
What to store in
Rice needs to be poured from the factory packaging into a container more suitable for storage. Polyethylene bags are not suitable for this, as they do not allow the cereals to “breathe”. In addition, cereals can absorb a synthetic odor and acquire an unpleasant aftertaste. And if you leave packages slightly open, pests will quickly infest the products.
- The most suitable way to store rice is in a closed glass container .
- You can use plastic as long as they have an airtight lid.
- Metal cans are less suitable for these purposes: they are not able to close tightly and are susceptible to corrosion.
Rules for storing cereals at home
Rice cereal is suitable for long-term storage . If the conditions are met, it retains its taste for up to one and a half years.
Large volumes of rice are stored in heated and unheated premises. The storage place must be dry, clean, well ventilated.
Attention! When placing cereals for long-term storage, make sure that there are no strong-smelling or perishable products nearby, as well as stocks affected by pests.
The optimal relative air humidity at the storage location is 60-70% . Air temperature – from +5 to +18°С.
Another important condition : containers with rice should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
After opening the package
If you plan to use all the rice from the package at once or within a few days, you do not need to take any additional measures to preserve the grain.
Otherwise, after opening the original packaging, it is better to pour the contents into an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. This way you will protect the product from high humidity and pests.
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Shelf life according to GOST
Rice is one of the cereals that do not lose quality for many months if storage conditions are met. What is its shelf life according to GOST?
The interstate quality standard (6292-93) and GOST R 55289-2012 “Rice” are applied to rice cereals . Technical conditions". Both documents define storage periods:
- broken rice – 16 months;
- polished rice – 18 months.
Protection from dampness and mustiness
An important condition for the safety of cereals is ensuring the recommended air humidity levels at the storage location (no more than 70%). After all, dampness is the main cause of musty smells and mold.
Using airtight containers will help avoid such problems.
How long to store cooked rice in the refrigerator and freezer?
Boiled rice cereal is stored exclusively in the cold, given that it will quickly absorb the surrounding aromas. It should be stored in a closed food-grade plastic container on a separate shelf.
Cooked rice lasts longer when it is free of oil and other seasonings. Only then can you expect that it will last for 2 - 3 days. How long you can store boiled rice in the refrigerator also depends on the ingredients used:
- porridge cooked with milk – 24 hours;
- porridge without milk and butter – 3 days.
It is advisable to additionally treat the finished product at high temperature before use, given that it has been on the refrigerator shelf for several days.
Storing boiled rice in the freezer allows it to preserve its consumer properties for several months. And it is convenient to defrost it in a microwave oven, where a certain mode is provided for this.
Storing cooked rice without refrigeration will not last long. After a few hours the product will begin to sour.
How to understand that the cereal is spoiled
You can tell what quality the cereal is by taking two or three spoons. When examining its fractions, you should pay attention to their color (whitish grains may be moldy). The rancid and musty smell of cereals can be due to the breakdown of fats during long-term storage.
It is advisable to try the cereal (if you chew 2-3 grains, you can accurately determine its quality), while a bitter taste will indicate that the product is spoiled.
The presence of lumps, as well as various insects, is an indicator of low quality cereal. Eating such a product is undesirable.
How long to store
This product is classified as processed grain crops. Therefore, its storage is similar to all cereals. According to GOST, the shelf life of rice is 10 - 18 months. In many ways, the storage time of this product is determined by the region of its growth and variety. The average shelf life for this cereal is:
- for white rice - 16 months. (crushed) – 18 months. (polished) for those grown in the countries of Southeast Asia;
- for white (place of growth - countries of the former USSR) - 10 months. (for crushed), 12 months. (for polished).
Steamed rice is stored under standard conditions.
Exotic types of rice cereals (wild, dark, red, Basmati, jasmine, etc.) have the same shelf life - 16 - 18 months.
Dry rice: conditions, place and shelf life
The shelf life of rice depends on its variety, storage conditions before and after sale, as well as the region.
Packaged
GOST divides the shelf life of rice in original packaging by region, which is related to climatic conditions. For the Far East, the Baltic States, the North Caucasus, Transcaucasia, the Lower Volga region, Central Asia, the South of Kazakhstan and Ukraine, they are:
- for polished – 12 months, in other regions – 18 months;
- for crushed - 10 months, in other regions - 16 months.
This condition applies to both white and steamed rice. Exotic varieties (Basmati, red, wild and others) can be safely used for 16-18 months.
Tip of the day
After the specified period, cook a small amount of cereal monthly and take a sample. This way you will determine the possibility of further use.
Rice can be stored at room temperature, but it is advisable to maintain a temperature range of 5-15 °C.
If the cereal is packaged correctly, then opening the package will not affect its quality and final shelf life. Just:
- choose cereals wisely, carefully study the manufacturer;
- pour the contents of the opened package into an airtight container;
- Screw the lid tightly and keep the container away from moisture.
You will learn how to make the right choice by watching a short video:
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By weight
Storing loose and packaged rice is not much different.
- When purchasing, you should make sure that the product is not wet, because when packaging, moisture can get inside the bag, causing it to become moldy.
- Cereals should be stored in tightly closed jars, avoiding direct sunlight and dampness.
- Immediately after purchasing the rice, it is better to remove it from the bag so that insects do not have time to get there. A tin or glass container will do.
Note to the hostess
Be careful when buying cereal in bulk. Sometimes there is rotten rice on store shelves, which later gives off a very unpleasant smell. To avoid such a “surprise,” buy the product in factory packaging.
Storage tips
When insects appear in cereals, you should not throw them away immediately. You can keep the product for 3 - 4 days in the freezer (a balcony is suitable in winter). At sub-zero temperatures, pests will die from the cold. This product should be rinsed well before use.
You can repel insects from cereals using:
- garlic cloves,
- several bay leaves,
- hot pepper pods,
- dried lemon peel.
It was noticed that metal objects, being in the same container with rice cereals, also prevent bugs and moths from settling in it. Although there is no logical explanation why this happens. Insects also do not like the minty smell, so some housewives keep the corresponding chewing gum in their cereals.
Not only insect infestations and moisture can shorten the shelf life of rice, but also unpleasant musty odors. Therefore, many people pour the cereal into bags made of linen, where it can “breathe”. To prevent pests from reaching the product, the fabric is soaked in a salt solution (1:4) and dried thoroughly.
Salt in a fabric bag actively absorbs excess moisture. It is better to place the bag among the rice in a closed container. This will prevent fungi from developing and the product becoming damp.
Storage conditions for green buckwheat
Cereals can be kept for at least 1.5 years, but for this the room must be dry, dark, and air access is also important (place the cereals in a linen bag).
In our country, the average person eats a maximum of several kilograms of buckwheat annually. But since our people like to buy in bags, having purchased a significant volume, you can fly by. It’s worth stocking up only when you have a large family and you eat buckwheat porridge at least once a week. Otherwise, having made too much stock, after a while bugs, insects and various other pests will breed. Therefore, you should approach the issue of saving this product carefully and prepare storage containers in advance, freeing up space in a dark and cool room.
Signs of spoiled cereal
Spoiled rice has a musty smell and also contains many yellow grains. These are indicators of the development of mold fungi, which makes the cereal unsuitable for further use.
Rice without traces of pests or signs of mold formation, even after the expiration date, is allowed to be eaten. Before consumption, the cereal will undergo preliminary heat treatment.
But you shouldn’t cook and eat cereal that has been in storage for several years, even if it is in good external condition. Now you know how to store rice correctly at home. And if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to write in the comments!
How much is it?
If all conditions provided for storing steamed buckwheat in dry matter are strictly observed, the shelf life is a maximum of 2 years. However, the beneficial substances will be fully preserved for 8 months from the date of production.
After 12 months, the product loses many vitamins and pleasant aroma.
Expiration dates vary depending on the type of product.
Green
The shelf life of green buckwheat in sealed original packaging is 15 months. After opening – 3 months. The product is unprocessed kernels from which the shell has been removed, but the embryo has been preserved. The grains were not steamed or dried. It can be sprouted.
Fried or steamed kernels
The shelf life of fried or steamed kernels in a sealed container is 15-20 months. After opening – 4 months. These are heat-treated grains. The kernel is hard, the porridge from it turns out crumbly. During processing, it loses some nutrients, but this is compensated by the acquired pleasant taste and aroma.
Done
The shelf life in the package was 14-18 months. After opening – 2 months. Crushed buckwheat kernels. The shell has been removed from them first. The cooking time is less than that of kernels.
Buckwheat flakes
The shelf life of buckwheat flakes in sealed packaging is 8-16 months. After opening – 2 months. These are cut and pressed grains. They are valued for their speed of preparation, but have fewer useful substances than kernels.
What are the dangers of eating expired buckwheat?
Some people neglect the indicated expiration dates, believing that a slightly stale product will not cause much harm. However, buckwheat grains are capable of absorbing and accumulating odors, volatile and toxic compounds. The longer a product is stored, the higher the concentration of harmful substances in it.
Cereals that have expired will not benefit the body. It is deprived of essential vitamins and microelements. If it already contains harmful microorganisms and mold, porridge prepared from it will cause poisoning or gastrointestinal tract disorders. Therefore, it is better not to risk your health.
