Rice is an essential staple food that every household needs. Typically, people buy a sufficient amount of rice to last for one to several months and store it for gradual consumption. However, rice is prone to mold and moisture.
Moldy rice not only reduces its taste and nutritional value but also poses health risks. Moldy rice produces hazardous toxins, including aflatoxin, which can stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Mold changes the color and gives off a foul odor. Consuming moldy rice can lead to poisoning symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, swelling, seizures, coma, and encephalopathy.
Aflatoxin is not destroyed even when cooked.
Therefore, to protect your health and your family’s, you need to pay close attention to rice preservation. To keep rice dry and mold-free, here are some tips:
Use dried seaweed
Dried seaweed helps prevent mold in rice. It has good moisture-absorbing properties, keeping the rice dry and preventing the growth of mold.
Simply put a small handful of dried seaweed in the rice container. After a certain period of time, remove the seaweed and let it dry. Once dried, put the seaweed back in the rice container to keep the rice dry.
Use white alcohol
White alcohol can prevent pests from entering the rice and inhibit the growth of mold.
Place a small bottle of white alcohol vertically in the rice container. Then, open the bottle cap. The evaporating alcohol will drive away insects and prevent bacterial growth.
Use garlic and black pepper
Garlic and black pepper can help repel pests and prevent mold growth. You can place a few cloves of dried garlic or a small bag of black pepper (in a cloth bag) in the rice container to keep the rice from spoiling.
Other considerations for rice preservation
You should store the rice container in a dry and well-ventilated place to prevent mold and moisture. Avoid placing the rice near heat sources or in direct sunlight, as this can reduce its quality. After taking out rice, always seal the rice container tightly to prevent moisture and the intrusion of insects, mice, or cockroaches.