Rice is an important part of Indian food. There is hardly any house where you do not get rice. Be it a daily plate of food, making pulao or when guests come suddenly and you want to prepare something quickly, then rice is the first choice. That’s why people often buy rice in bulk and keep it in stock. But just buying rice is not enough, it is also necessary to take proper care of rice, so that it can be kept safe from moisture, insects (mites) and bad smell.

For this, rice can be stored safely by taking care of small things. This will maintain the aroma, taste and texture of the rice.

store rice in an airtight container

To keep rice safe for a long time, always store it in a tightly closed, clean and dry container, so that there is no moisture in the rice. Actually, due to moisture, rice can get spoiled and there is also a fear of insects getting into it. Therefore, use a food-grade plastic box, steel container or a glass jar with an airtight lid to store rice.

protect rice from moisture

Moisture plays a big role in the spoilage of rice. Even a little moisture can spoil the rice. Always remember not to take out the rice with wet hands. The box in which you keep rice should also be dry. Along with this, do not keep the rice box or jar in which rice is kept near a wall which is damp or damp. Even a little moisture in rice can spoil it.

protect from heat

Do not keep the rice in any place which is exposed to direct sunlight. Do not keep it near a gas stove, oven or a window where strong sunlight comes. Keep the rice in a dry and clean place, as continuous exposure to heat can gradually affect the aroma and quality of the rice.

Home remedies will help

Insect infestation in rice is a common problem. If rice is not stored properly for a long time, it can spoil. In some homes, the home remedy of placing dry neem leaves or bay leaves around the rice is adopted. These are used to protect against insects. However, it is better to keep these separately in a container rather than mixing them with the rice.

Apart from this, you can also make a bundle and keep it in rice. For this, put half a cap of turmeric, 10 to 12 black peppers, 5-7 cloves and half a spoon of sugar in a tissue paper or thin cotton cloth and tie the bundle with tape or thread. Put it in the rice box. This can prevent rice from getting spoiled.

keep away from fragrant things

Rice can absorb strong odors present around it. Therefore, avoid keeping it near spices, detergents, cleaning chemicals, strong smelling things like onion or garlic. By keeping rice in a separate and clean place, its natural aroma and taste remains better.

Do not mix new and old rice

Keep the new rice separate. Don’t mix them in old rice boxes. First eliminate the old rice, then clean and dry the box and then fill it with new rice. This reduces the possibility of moisture or any kind of dirt getting into the new rice from the old stock.

Also, buy new rice only if there is enough space to stock it. Otherwise first eliminate the old rice and then buy new ones. If rice is used less in the house, it is better to buy it as per requirement rather than buying it in large quantities. At the same time, in homes where rice is prepared daily, it can be purchased in large quantities and stored in an airtight container. With this, there will be no need for repeated purchases.

check from time to time

Keep checking the rice from time to time. If there is moisture, strange smell, rice grains sticking together or insects visible inside the box, do not ignore it. Proper storage can greatly extend the shelf life of rice, especially dry white rice. But to keep any rice for years, mere canning is not enough. It is also important to take care of temperature, humidity and cleanliness of storage.