Rice is handy to keep in the kitchen to make a quick meal, but if left too long in the cupboard, it can attract insects or even go mouldy if not stored properly. No one wants to find weevils, mealworms, or moths in a bag of rice, but these pests are naturally attracted to starchy foods.
As the weather warms up in spring, cupboards often become more humid, which attracts these critters and can also encourage mould growth. Rice is naturally very absorbent and will pull moisture from the air, so it can easily become contaminated if it is loosely sealed.
However, there is no need to throw an open bag of rice away. The food storage experts at Indian Gate Good have shared a simple way to keep rice safe: store it with bay leaves.
They said: “Keeping your rice grains away from the bugs is one of the most crucial things for you to count on.
“The bugs or moulds can contaminate your whole bag of rice in no time, which would make the entire quantity unfit for you to consume.
“To prevent this problem from occurring, you can pick certain kitchen ingredients, such as neem leaves or bay leaves, and store your bulk rice with them. This will keep out the bugs from infesting your rice.”
It may sound bizarre, but bay leaves or neem leaves have a strong scent that these insects are sensitive to. This scent will naturally irritate them and keep them away from rice.
Bay leaves also contain eugenol, a natural insect repellent that will make the rice unappealing.
Eugenol also has antifungal properties that help reduce moisture in the air, creating an environment unfavourable for mould to grow in.
All you need to do is store bay leaves in the jar or bag you are keeping rice in, and it should stay fresh and pest-free. This simple method will also work on other dry starchy foods like flour or pasta.
However, it is also important to keep rice in an airtight container in a cool and dry place to ensure its safety.
Keep rice away from cupboards near ovens, air fryers, or microwaves. The steam from cooking will naturally create a humid environment, which will attract mould or insects.
If you store it properly, uncooked white rice can keep fresh for up to two years. However, brown rice will only last six months, so always be sure to check the packaging for the expiry date.