How long does cooked rice keep in the refrigerator?
Rice is considered one of the most diurnal cereals. It has been grown for about 8 thousand years. The benefits of this cereal are appreciated all over the world. If no one doubts the beneficial properties of grains, then doubts arise in the shelf life of boiled rice. For example, not everyone knows how long it can be stored in the refrigerator.
General information
By itself, rice can be stored for a long time, provided that the storage place is dry and cool, with a temperature not exceeding +18 degrees Celsius. Polished rice has a much longer shelf life (up to several years). Its shelf life should not exceed 16-18 months. At the same time, few people know that rice rice is different. It is worth taking cereals in small packages. As a rule, it is a higher quality and purer rice.
It is necessary to store the grains themselves not in factory packaging, but in a separate container made of tin or glass.
At the same time, you need to select dishes with tight-fitting lids, which will not only extend the shelf life of cereals, but also prevent the appearance of harmful insects. In order for the porridge prepared from it to turn out not only tasty, but also healthy, it is important to observe the temperature regime of storage conditions. Storage in the original packaging is allowed only until it is opened.
At the same time, most housewives immediately subject the cereal to heat treatment in a pan or in the oven. They do this in order to prevent the formation of harmful insects in the croup, if for some reason larvae have already got into it.Someone uses plastic bags for storage, although this is strictly forbidden. Groats from this not only suffocate, but are also saturated with the aromas of the polymer, which negatively affects the taste properties of the finished product.
Why does it deteriorate?
Regardless of the total shelf life of the cereal itself, it sooner or later becomes damp. This is due to the content of starch in grains. That is why it is necessary to eat it on time. However, often the boiled product begins to smell bad and become covered with yellowish spots in the refrigerator. Few people know, but this is due to non-compliance with the rules for storing the porridge itself.
For example, not every housewife thinks about the right container, although it is easier to store boiled rice in a plastic container with a conveniently closing and opening lid. It is important that it closes tightly. Different odors in boiled rice may appear due to foreign products. Therefore, it is better to place the container with the product separately.
It is impossible not to take into account the fact that the refrigerator must work in the correct mode. If it turns off, moisture will begin to accumulate inside, and even boiled rice can become damp from it. It is from this dampness and interruptions in the operation of the refrigerator that yellowish spots appear, which are nothing more than a fungus.
How much is stored?
In general, storage of rice in the refrigerator is necessary when it is cooked more than necessary. There are times when it is cooked for two or three days. However, even in this case, one should not forget about the neighborhood with other products, as well as the deterioration in taste with each new day. It is impossible not to take into account the fact that such rice is stored without adding oil.
The shelf life of boiled rice in the refrigerator will depend on how it is cooked.For example, if it is porridge cooked in milk, it should be eaten within a day. Once the same dish is cooked without adding milk, its shelf life will be three days. It is important to take into account the fact that the storage time will also depend on the components that make up the cooked dish.
Is it possible to freeze?
Sometimes a hostess who has cooked a lot of porridge is interested in the question of the appropriateness of using a freezer to increase the shelf life of porridge. Indeed, it is possible to freeze cooked rice in the freezer, but it must be done correctly. If you follow all the rules, you can keep him inside the section for about three months. If you wish, you can always get it, heat it up and eat it. However, this is provided that the refrigerator will work properly without interruption in electricity.
The conditions for storing rice in the freezer provide for the implementation of easy rules. For example, the lid used should fit snugly over the rice container. On the first day, you need to periodically take the rice out of the freezer, shake it or mix it. This must also be done so that it remains crumbly, and does not stick together into a single lump.
Do not keep rice in the freezer for more than three months. After this time, its taste will begin to deteriorate.
Usually, after the maximum allowable storage period, it begins to dampen. And this leads to the same problems as in the main compartments of the refrigerator.
How to reheat a frozen product?
It is better and easier to heat such a product using a frying pan. So that the frozen porridge does not immediately burn, add a little water to it. Housewives who do not like this heating method prefer to use a microwave oven.The advantage of this method of storage is the fact that cooked frozen rice does not lose its useful qualities.
In addition, it remains almost as tasty as before freezing. The only thing that can change is the degree of moisture. You can even make a casserole out of it or eat it warm. However, it is not uncommon for boiled rice to taste dry after freezing and thawing. Therefore, housewives tell other dishes from it, improving its taste due to seasonings and spices.
Some people think that frozen rice should thaw naturally. This process is long, and even more so at room temperature. Even a small portion can thaw for a long time. Therefore, some housewives resort to the help of a double boiler. This technique allows not only to warm up the rice, but also to save it from dryness.
Conclusion
No matter how tasty and good rice turns out, it cannot be stored in the refrigerator for a long time. The sooner it is eaten, the better.
It is impossible to take into account the mode of a single refrigerator, while taking general recommendations on faith. If you feel that the taste of the product has not changed for the better, that is, it is no longer worth it. The same applies to frozen food. It is undesirable to harvest it a lot for future use and constantly eat. Food must be fresh.
The following video shows how to store cooked rice in the refrigerator.