In daily life, rice, as a frequent guest on our table, is a must-have food for almost every household. However, when it comes to summer, many friends will encounter a headache - rice insects. Looking at the wriggling little insects in the rice, do you feel your scalp tingle instantly, and even have the urge to throw away the whole bag of rice? Don't worry, let's talk about rice insects today.
1. Why do insects grow in rice?
In fact, insects in rice are a common phenomenon, so there is no need to be too alarmed. There are two main causes of rice insects.
First, when the rice is still growing in the rice field, it already carries the eggs of the rice worms. These eggs are so small that they are almost invisible to our naked eyes.
Second, during the storage and transportation of rice, due to environmental and other factors, insect sources may be contaminated. When the temperature and humidity conditions are right, such as hot and humid summers, these eggs hatch quickly, and we see bugs in the rice.
2. Can I still eat rice that has worms?
This is a question that many people are concerned about. When insects are found in rice, people often worry about whether the rice can continue to be eaten.
First, let's take a look at the common bugs in rice. The rice worms in rice mainly include sawsaw thieves, corn elephants and rice elephants. Among them, rice elephants, also known as weevils, are common pests in grains that reproduce quickly. Adult rice elephants will gnaw deep holes in brown rice and lay eggs in the holes, and after hatching, the larvae will feed on the grains, which will be eaten through and hollowed out of the grains, but the rice elephants themselves are not poisonous.
Therefore, as long as the rice does not undergo mildew and is carefully washed, it can be eaten normally. In addition, during the cooking process of rice, the high temperature is equivalent to a disinfection and sterilization. Even if you accidentally eat rice worms, there will be no hidden danger to food safety. Therefore, there is no need to throw away the whole bag of rice just because there are a few rice worms, it is too wasteful!
However, it should be noted that if the rice has mildew and produces aflatoxins, it must not be eaten because aflatoxins have a very high health impact.
3. How should I deal with the rice with insects?
If the rice is already insected, don't worry, we have a way to deal with it.
1. Freezing method
Rice with raw worms can be frozen in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator for 24 hours. In a low temperature environment, all rice worms will freeze to death. The next time the rice is washed, the frozen insects will float on the surface of the water, and the insects can be easily separated from the rice with the help of the current. Moreover, this method hardly affects the taste of the rice, which is not afraid of freezing.
2. Spread out in the shade
We can also spread the wormed rice directly in a cool place, put some ginger slices in it, and use the strong smell of ginger to let the rice worms crawl away automatically. However, special attention should be paid to the fact that rice must not be exposed to the sun, because rice worms are afraid of light, and they will burrow into the rice grains when exposed to the sun, which not only can not effectively drive away rice worms, but also accelerate their reproduction. In addition, exposure to the sun can cause the rice to dehydrate quickly, making it coarse and brittle, losing its original nutrients and flavor.
4. How to make rice free of insects?
1. Use dried kelp wisely
Dried kelp has a strong ability to absorb moisture. We can bury dried kelp in rice. It can reduce the humidity of the rice and create an unsuitable environment for the growth of rice worms, thus playing a role in preventing insects. In addition, dried kelp also prevents the rice from becoming moldy. However, it is necessary to take the kombu out regularly and let it dry in the sun for 30 minutes before putting it back into the rice so that the effect can be maintained continuously. One piece of kelp can be reused more than 20 times.
2. Use Sichuan peppercorns wisely
The unique smell of Sichuan pepper has a repellent effect on rice worms. We can divide 50 grams of Sichuan peppercorns into three portions, wrap them in gauze or disposable masks, and then place them at the top, middle and bottom of the rice bag respectively, which can effectively prevent rice insects. Sichuan pepper is a natural antioxidant, and its special taste has an insect repellent effect.
3. Sealed storage method
Oxygen is needed for the survival of any living being. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the rice that is opened at home is sealed in time. If the rice bucket does not seal well, you can choose to preserve the rice with a well-sealed oil drum, glass bottle, or sealed bag. Storing it in a cool, dry place can effectively prevent rice insects.
If today's article is helpful to you, I hope you can forward and share it, like it, and thank you for your support.