Think Twice Before Eating Leftover Rice
Rice at room temperature
When it comes to rice, you need to consider how to handle it once it’s cooked.
Leftover rice should never be left at room temperature for too long. This is because rice contains a bacteria that can survive the cooking process, bacillus cereus. If you let the rice sit for a while after your meal, this bacteria can multiply and lead to food poisoning.
Cool precooked rice
It’s important to know that this bacteria is heat resistant, even if you reheat it a second time.
In other words, if you’re cooking rice with the intention of eating it later, let it cool down as quickly as possible.
According to Southern Living: “Cooked rice is very moist, providing a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, especially when kept at room temperature for more than two hours. Play it safe and cool leftover rice quickly—put it in a resealable plastic bag with minimal air or in the refrigerator.”
So the best practice is to put the rice in an airtight container or bag and then store it in the refrigerator or freezer. The same applies to food in general, although the consequences might not be as dramatic as food poisoning. Cooling leftover food quickly minimizes the chance for any bacteria to grow and keeps your food fresh and flavorful.
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