Due to high demand, rice is always supplied in large quantities, making it susceptible to becoming old rice, resulting in a decrease in quality. Most types of rice sold on the market have limited information about their production date and origin. Therefore, consumers find it difficult to avoid buying old rice that is both nutrient-deficient and tasteless.
To choose fresh rice, you can bring a piece of paper when buying rice to test it, and the result will leave you satisfied.
Why should you bring a piece of paper when buying rice?
In fact, fresh rice with good quality is often less moist and has a lower oil content compared to old, low-quality rice. Therefore, by observing the moisture and oil absorbed by the paper towel, you can evaluate whether the rice is old or fresh and of high quality.
Why should you bring a piece of paper when buying rice? Because it helps you choose fresh and delicious rice. (Photo: Shutterstock)
What you need to do is take out a piece of paper, place the rice on top, and wrap it up. Then, hold the wrapped rice in your hand and squeeze it tightly for about 10 seconds. After 10 seconds, open the paper towel and observe its surface.
If there are white powdery particles on the towel, it means that the rice is fresh and of good quality, as fresh rice will have more starch on the surface. Conversely, if there are stains of oil or the rice grains stick to the towel and do not come off, it means that the rice is old and should not be purchased.
Some tips for buying fresh and delicious rice
In addition to bringing a piece of paper when buying rice as instructed above, to choose and buy fresh, fragrant, and free from chemical contamination rice, you can also apply the following tips:
Buy rice according to the season
One of the effective ways to choose good rice is to choose rice according to the right season. Rice grains that have just been harvested during the harvest season will be both fragrant and chewy, leaving a slightly sticky texture in the mouth.
Observe the color of the rice
Fresh rice will naturally be more fragrant and nutritious than old rice. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is to look at the color to distinguish between fresh and old rice.
The normal color of rice is pale white, but it can vary depending on the variety and conditions. However, fresh rice usually has a slightly translucent, white, and firm appearance.
If the rice is darker, even slightly yellowish and dull in color, it may have been stored for too long, and its nutritional value and taste will be reduced. On the other hand, rice that contains chemicals will appear shiny and pure white because it may have been bleached.
Smell the rice
If the rice has an unnatural aroma or a strong unpleasant smell, it is usually old rice or rice that has been artificially scented. To identify this type of rice, you can observe it while cooking. This type of rice will lose its aroma when cooked or after a few days of purchase.
Right when you buy a large quantity of rice, you can squeeze a little bit in your hand to warm it up. After squeezing, if you smell a fragrant aroma, it means that the rice is of high quality; on the contrary, if the rice has no aroma or even a bad smell, it may have expired.
Taste the rice
A useful tip to choose fresh and clean rice is to chew a few grains of the raw rice. If you can feel a natural sweet fragrance and a slight stickiness in your mouth, it means that the rice is good. Conversely, if the rice is too soft or too hard, has a coarse texture, and has no aroma or loses its aroma, it may be of poor quality.
Burn the rice
You can prepare a spoonful, then place a small amount of rice in the middle and ignite it with a lighter. If you smell a fragrant aroma, it means that the rice is fresh; if there is an unfamiliar smell (such as a scorched smell), it means that the rice is old and has been treated.
According to VTC News
Get the Best Tips for Buying High-Quality Rice with Just a Piece of Paper
Delicious rice will make your meals more flavorful and satisfying. We will guide you on how to choose and buy the best quality rice, with just a piece of paper.
