Did you know that rice is one of the most consumed foods in the world?
Rice can be used as a main dish, side dish or directly in many different recipes. In some cultures, rice is consumed daily and sometimes even served at every meal.
Like flour, beans, and other staples, rice made its way into bakers’ pantries for emergency stockpiling.
But why is rice a popular food? And what is the best type of rice to prepare?
I will elaborate on these two points and start with the benefits of rice storage.
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Why rice must be stored
Personal preferences aside, rice is an excellent food to keep and have in the house for many reasons. Here are some reasons why this simple food should be in every pantry.
- Price. Rice is incredibly cheap. At the time of writing, the average retail price of rice was $0.71 per pound. At that price, a 50-pound bag would cost $35.50. That’s a lot of rice for not much money.
- Life on the shelf. Depending on the type of rice and how it is stored, it has a shelf life of 12 months to decades.
- Less is more. A little rice is good for you. As a general rule, the amount of uncooked rice triples when it is cooked. For example, one cup of cooked rice makes about three cups of cooked rice. This means that not much rice is needed to feed several people.
- Neutral taste. Usually the rice itself has no flavor. This is an interesting feature because you can add it to almost any recipe and it will take on the flavor of the dish. So rice is an excellent addition to quesadillas.
Rice in stock
Although there are many types of rice, I stick to white rice and brown rice because they are the most common and therefore the most popular and easily available.
White rice
White rice is the most popular type of food. Probably because it’s the cheapest and has a long life.
White rice is also called polished rice because the germ and bran that give the rice its shiny white appearance have been removed.
This process removes some of the nutrients from the grain, but extends its shelf life. Properly preserved white rice can be kept for decades.
Brown rice
Brown rice owes its name to the colour of the grain. The chaff and bran remain on the grain and give it a brown colour.
This outer layer of brown rice contains extra nutrients, which is why brown rice is often the best nutritional option.
However, brown rice also has disadvantages.
Because this type of rice contains more oil, brown rice is more likely to go rancid. As a result, brown rice has a shelf life of about six months.
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milled rice in bulk
When you buy white rice in bulk, you get the most value for your portion. So you can also take it in different ways.
Most grocery stores sell rice in 1 pound, 5 pound and sometimes 10 pound bags. At the top end of this range, you can buy rice relatively quickly without having to go to a specialty store or order it online.
For
- The cheapest way to build a rice camp.
- It’s available in most supermarkets…
- When stored properly, white rice can be kept for decades.
Cons
- Additional measures and resources are needed for appropriate long-term storage.
- Less nutritious than other types of rice.
Brown Rice
Much of what was said above about white rice can also be said about brown rice. It can be found in most grocery stores, it’s affordable, and local stores often have bags of different sizes.
The main difference with brown rice, however, is that it is denser in nutrients and forms a thicker flour when used this way.
For
- The cheapest way to build a rice camp.
- Ready to be sold in more supermarkets
- More nutritious than white rice
- If properly packaged, brown rice can be kept for several years.
Cons
- Much shorter shelf life than white rice
Packaged rice
Bags of plain rice draw attention to this choice, but I don’t think packaged rice products should be neglected. Here are a few reasons.
For
- The bread pan is incredibly easy to organize and store.
- They can keep for several years. According to the Rice Minute website, Rice Minute can be kept for two years after the date of production.
- Packaged rice usually cooks faster….
- Different types and flavours
- Affordable and available at most grocery stores
Cons
- Packing rice in boxes is not ideal for long-term storage because it is neither airtight nor watertight.
- Depending on the brand or variety, rice may contain undesirable additives that can reduce its shelf life.
Ready-to-eat mango sticky rice, according to style
This frozen rice comes in a resealable bag and offers two and a half servings per bag.
It’s very easy to prepare, with just a cup of boiling water and 15 minutes of cooking time.
As the name suggests, the rice grains clump together and the mango flavor adds a touch of sweetness.
For
- Easy transport
- Extremely long shelf life
- Requires very little water for preparation
- Ready to eat in 15 minutes.
Cons
- The main disadvantage of frozen food is its relatively high cost/share ratio.
Augason Farms Long-grain White Rice
If you are interested in companies that sell survival products, a bucket of long grain white rice from Augason Farms would be an affordable choice.
One of their buckets of white rice weighs about 52 pounds. After calculating the current price, it comes out to about $1.80 per pound.
Although rice is still expensive, you get much more value for your money when you buy in bulk rather than by the piece.
For
- No further measures are required for long-term storage after purchase.
- An affordable price
- Rigid container provides extra protection during storage
- The buckets can be stacked and are easy to organize
- The handle and size of the bucket make it easy to carry.
- Shelf life up to seven years
Cons
- More than double the price of store-bought rice.
Last updated on 24/02/20 at 6:22pm / Affiliate links / Images from the Amazon Product Advertising API.
Open questions
Q: How should rice be stored?
A : Moisture and air are the two biggest enemies of long-term rice storage.
Ideally, rice should be stored in food containers that are both airtight and watertight.
The addition of oxygen absorbers can also extend shelf life. Once the rice is sealed in a container, it is best stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Q: How many pounds of rice must be stored?
A : As a general rule, about 100 pounds of rice should be kept per person per year. With this amount, a person can eat at least one serving of cooked rice a day.
Q: How long can rice be stored?
A : Rice left on the shelves without special precautions can be kept for up to a year.
White rice has the longest shelf life and can remain good for decades under good storage conditions.
Q: How do I know if my rice is spoiled?
A : Since rice has a neutral odor, if you notice rancidity or another odor that makes you frown, it is likely that the rice is spoiled.
Besides, anything that looks visually bad in rice is a good sign that things have gone wrong. It may involve discoloration, stains on the grain or all kinds of fouling.
It is always best to be careful when putting anything into your body. If you have any doubts about the safety of food, it is better to throw it away than risk getting sick.
Completion
In general, I suggest using a mix of foods when cooking. This is mainly because it gives the food preparer more choices and helps prevent menu fatigue.
However, bulk white rice would be one of the best options because of its low cost, but more importantly, its long shelf life.
Ultimately, the best way to cook rice is the one that suits you, your taste, your budget and your storage options.
Thanks for reading and be ready!
Which type of rice do you prefer to buy to keep for a long time? Tell us in the comments below and let us know!
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