At the table of our daily lives, whether in the south or in the north, that bowl of hot and fragrant rice is an indispensable protagonist. However, in the face of the dazzling array of rice brands with different prices on supermarket shelves, have you ever wondered whether the more expensive the rice, the better? Actually, today, we will unveil the mystery of rice purchase, and learn from the unique secrets of those experienced rice vendors, so that you can easily choose good rice that is both shelf-stable and delicious.
The world of rice is rich and colorful, and it can be mainly divided into three major families: indica, japonica and glutinous rice. Indica rice, a frequent visitor from the south, with its harvest in Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong, Sichuan and other places in two seasons a year, has created a unique taste of early indica rice and late indica rice - after steaming, the rice yield is high, the hardness is moderate, the taste is dry and the grains are distinct; Japonica rice, on the other hand, prefers the annual growth environment in Northeast China, North China and Jiangsu, where its rice grains are full, sticky, oily, soft and sweet after cooking, and the rice is fragrant. As for glutinous rice, the northerners call it "Jiang rice", the appearance is milky white and translucent, glutinous but not greasy after cooking, it is commonly found in the production of all kinds of cakes, zongzi and glutinous rice flour, and the long glutinous rice in the south and the round glutinous rice in the north exude regional characteristics.
So, how to discern the pearls in the vast sea of rice and choose high-quality rice? The answer lies in that little label. The label is like the identity of the rice, recording in detail the key information such as origin, variety, quality grade, etc. It is particularly noteworthy that the rice that meets the current national standard "GBT1354-2018" is already a qualified product that has undergone strict testing and is trustworthy. In addition, for those rice with unique geographical indications, such as "Wuchang Rice", "Founder Selenium-rich Rice", "Yuanyang Rice", etc., we should also pay attention to their unique geographical indication product standard numbers, and beware of being blinded by "famous brand" products.
In addition to good quality, it is equally important to choose a rice that can be shelf-stable. The shelf life of rice is greatly affected by temperature and humidity, and loose or opened rice will be affected by nutrient loss, insects, mold and other problems within a few months. As a result, vacuum-packed bagged rice is an ideal storage option. By vacuuming and drying, not only does it inhibit the activity of microorganisms and extend the shelf life to more than 18 months, but the actual storage time may even be longer as long as the packaging is intact.
Of course, it is inevitable to encounter the problem of rice insects in life, and those "rice elephants" hidden in rice grains always seem to inadvertently bring us a little trouble. But don't worry, rice worms are more sensitive to pungent odors, we can put peppercorns or garlic in rice bags to use their natural insect repellent effect to effectively prevent rice worms from breeding and reproducing.
To sum up, the purchase of rice is not a simple price competition, but a comprehensive consideration of factors such as variety characteristics, product standards, packaging methods, and storage conditions. Mastering these tips allows us to experience the wisdom and fun of life while enjoying food. Next time you visit the supermarket, take this guide with you and confidently pick out the real good rice that will fill your dining table with aroma and keep your pantry in order.