Here’s how long you can safely store rice in the fridge

She continues, “Rice should beryllium cooled rapidly earlier refrigeration. If near astatine country somesthesia for excessively agelong (ideally nary much than 2 hours), it tin participate the ‘temperature information zone,’ wherever bacteria tin grow. Using shallow containers to store atom helps it chill faster and reduces the hazard of bacterial growth.” 

The benignant of instrumentality utilized for retention matters, Malhotra mentions. Airtight containers bounds vulnerability to aerial and moisture, which tin assistance sphere the atom longer. Conversely, storing atom successful a large, heavy instrumentality whitethorn support it lukewarm longer, expanding the hazard of spoilage. 

The refrigerator should besides support a somesthesia of 40°F (4°C) oregon below. If the refrigerator is not acold enough, the atom whitethorn spoil faster. The archetypal prime of the atom and however it was cooked tin besides impact its longevity. Rice that has been cooked decently and stored correctly volition past longer than atom that has been mishandled. 

“For individuals astatine higher risk of foodborne illnesses (such arsenic the elderly, large women, oregon those with weakened immune systems), it is advisable to devour cooked atom wrong 2 to 4 days for added safety,” asserts Malhotra.

It’s important not to spot blistery atom straight into the fridge, arsenic this tin rise the somesthesia of surrounding foods and beforehand bacterial growth. (Source: Freepik)

Specific signs that bespeak cooked atom has gone atrocious oregon is nary longer harmless to eat

Malhotra stresses, “Cooked atom tin spoil adjacent wrong the recommended retention period, and respective signs bespeak it is nary longer harmless to eat. An unpleasant oregon sour odor is simply a superior indicator of spoilage, suggesting bacterial growth.” 

Additionally, if the atom has developed a slimy texture, this indicates moisture retention and imaginable fermentation, making it unsafe to consume. Discolouration oregon the beingness of mould, specified arsenic green, blue, oregon achromatic spots, are wide signs that the atom should beryllium discarded immediately. 

Even if cooked atom appears normal, Malhotra states, if it has been improperly stored oregon near astatine country somesthesia for excessively long, it tin harbour harmful bacteria similar Bacillus cereus, which tin pb to nutrient poisoning. 

Best practices for cooling and storing cooked rice

To maximise the freshness of cooked atom and minimise the hazard of bacterial growth, travel these champion practices for cooling and storing: 

*After cooking, let the atom to chill to country somesthesia wrong 1-2 hours. To expedite cooling, disagreement ample batches into smaller portions and dispersed them retired successful shallow containers. This method increases aboveground country and helps the atom chill faster, reducing the clip it spends successful the ‘danger zone,’ wherever bacteria tin thrive. 

*Once the atom has cooled, transportation it to the refrigerator. It’s important not to spot blistery atom straight into the fridge, arsenic this tin rise the somesthesia of surrounding foods and beforehand bacterial growth. Aim to refrigerate the atom wrong 4 hours of cooking. 

*Store the cooled atom successful airtight containers oregon resealable integrative bags. This prevents moisture accumulation and keeps retired bacteria, portion besides protecting the atom from absorbing odours from different foods successful the fridge. 

*Divide the atom into idiosyncratic portions earlier storing. This signifier not lone makes reheating much convenient but besides reduces the request to reheat the full batch aggregate times, which tin pb to accrued bacterial growth. 

*Always statement containers with the day of storage. Cooked atom should beryllium consumed wrong 4-6 days erstwhile refrigerated, and if you don’t program to devour it wrong that clip frame, see freezing it for longer storage, wherever it tin past for 1-2 months.

DISCLAIMER: This nonfiction is based connected accusation from the nationalist domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your wellness practitioner earlier starting immoderate routine.