Rice is an indispensable staple food for the Japanese. But did you know that rice does not have a best-before date? In this article, we will explain the approximate period during which rice will taste good and the correct way to store it. We will also introduce some tips on how to eat old rice deliciously, so please use this article as a reference.

Does rice have a "use by" or "best before" date?

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"I wonder if the unopened rice I bought six months ago is still edible...?"

As such, many people must have wondered about the expiration date of rice. In fact, rice does not have a best-before date or expiration date.

Processed foods sold at supermarkets and other stores are set with a "best before" date for when they are delicious and a "best by" date for when they are safe to eat. However, with some exceptions, fresh foods are not required to display these dates.

Since rice is classified as a fresh food, it does not have a use-by date or best-before date.

There is no expiration date, but "it tastes best about one to two months after the rice is milled."

Considering that rice is a fresh food, it makes sense that it is best to eat it as soon as possible.

The freshness of rice decreases day by day after it is "polished." Polishing is the process of removing the rice husk and bran layer from harvested rice. Rice that has had the rice husk removed but the bran layer remaining is called "brown rice."

The rate at which rice deteriorates depends on temperature and humidity, and therefore also on the season, but it is said that"the period during which it can be enjoyed best is about one to two months after milling."​

Although rice does not have an expiration date, it does have the "milling date" printed on it, so it is best to use this as a guideline for the period during which the rice will taste delicious.

​It may seem like there will be a difference in the period during which rice can be enjoyed deliciously depending on whether it is unopened or opened, but there is very little difference. Rice packages have very small holes in them to prevent them from bursting or collapsing. In other words, they are not sealed, so there is no difference in the period during which rice can be enjoyed deliciously whether it is opened or unopened.

By the way, brown rice deteriorates more slowly than polished rice. Properly stored brown rice is said to last for about six months to a year.

Is it possible to eat old rice? Explanation based on the number of days it has been old

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Although rice does not have a best-before date or expiration date, it is recommended to eat it within 1-2 months of the milling date. However, is it still safe to eat it after this date?

Let's take a look at whether rice is still edible if it has been milled a long time ago.

If six months have passed since the rice was milled

Since it has been about three times longer than the recommended period for which it is still delicious, even if it is still edible, the rice may have lost its original flavor and texture. If it has not been stored properly, invisible mold may have started to form.

If one year has passed since the rice was milled

If it has been a year since the rice was milled, even if it has been stored properly, there may be changes in appearance and smell, and mold and insects may appear. Of course, even if it is edible, it may not taste good. It is best to avoid eating it.

If two years have passed since the rice was milled

If the storage conditions and storage environment were very good, we cannot say that rice is "absolutely inedible" even if it has been two years since the milling date. However, if there is mold or insects, you should never eat it. Also, since rice easily absorbs odors, depending on the storage conditions, it may not be as tasty as you would think.

How can you tell if rice is inedible?

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The characteristics of spoiled rice are as follows:

・There is mold growing
・Insects are swarming
・It has a sour smell

Storing rice in a hot and humid environment makes it more susceptible to mold. Moldy rice will turn black, gray, brown, green, etc. If the rice feels moister than usual or has a moldy smell, it's likely that the rice has gone bad.

Rice can also be infested with insects. Insects that infest rice include the rice weevil, a type of moth called the rice moth, and meal mites. All of these insects are small and enter through small holes in the rice bag or by eating through the bag. In rare cases, insect eggs that were originally on the rice may enter the rice and hatch if they are not removed.

The sour smell is caused by rice that has been milled for a long time coming into contact with air and oxidizing. Rice that smells like this may have lost its flavor and texture.

Storing rice properly will prevent mold, insects, and oxidation. We will explain in detail how to store rice to maintain its deliciousness in the next section.

How to properly store rice

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How to store raw rice

Rice easily absorbs odors, so it is recommended to store it in an airtight container such as a glass container, PLASTIC container, plastic bottle, or zipped storage bag. There is a small hole in the bag of rice. In addition to odor transfer, such containers are suitable to prevent insect contamination and mold growth.

Rice is also vulnerable to dryness, high temperature and humidity, and direct sunlight, so storing it in the refrigerator is safe. However, you need to be careful of condensation caused by temperature differences when taking it out and putting it back in. Condensation can lead to mold, so please be careful.

How to store cooked rice

​We recommend freezing cooked rice. If you store it in small portions, such as in onigiri balls, you can heat it up in the microwave and eat it right away when you're short on rice or when you're busy.

Wrap the rice in small portions in plastic wrap, then place it in a ziplock bag, making sure to remove all the air, and store it in the freezer.

The key is to wrap the rice while it's still hot from cooking. By wrapping the rice in plastic wrap while it's still steaming, the rice will be fluffy after thawing. However, to prevent other ingredients in the freezer from deteriorating, make sure to let the rice cool a little before putting it in the freezer.

Tips for cooking delicious rice after the recommended period has passed

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If old rice is not spoiled, it is best to eat it and not waste it. Here we will introduce you to a way to cook old rice deliciously.

Do not sharpen too hard

When washing rice, you need to be careful about how much pressure you use.

Old rice has less moisture and the grains are more likely to crack. Wash the rice as lightly as possible to prevent cracking. Repeated light washing can also reduce the unpleasant smell of old rice.

Increase the soaking time

Old rice has a low moisture content. Therefore, it is important to soak it in water for a long time. It is recommended to soak it for about 30 minutes in summer and 1 to 2 hours in winter.

Also, adding a little extra water when cooking rice will make it taste better.

Add ice and cook

One of the keys to cooking delicious rice, regardless of whether it is old or not, is to "take as long as possible until the water boils." To put this method into practice, it is a good idea to add ice to lower the water temperature.

By adding ice to the rice when cooking, even old rice will turn out fluffy and delicious.

Add sake and cook

The smell and dry texture that is typical of old rice can be eliminated by adding sake to the rice before cooking.

Adding about one tablespoon of sake per cup of rice will make the rice sweet and delicious. You can also use mirin instead.

Rice is best eaten for 1-2 months after milling! Eat it as soon as possible

Rice does not have a use-by date or expiration date, but as a rough guide, it is best to eat it for about 1-2 months from the milling date. Rice is sensitive to high temperatures, humidity, and dryness, so if it is not stored properly, it will go moldy or become infested with insects. Be sure to store it correctly and eat it while it's still delicious.

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*Product information and sales status are as of January 20, 2023.
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