What to do if the rice turns black
In daily life, rice is one of the staple foods, but improper storage or excessive time may cause rice to turn black. Blackened rice not only affects the taste, but may also pose health risks. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the causes and treatment methods of rice blackening, and provide practical suggestions.
1. Reasons why rice turns black

Black rice is usually caused by the following reasons:
| Reason | Specific instructions |
|---|---|
| Mildew | The moist environment causes mold to grow and black spots appear on the surface of the rice or the rice turns black overall. |
| Oxidation | When exposed to air for a long time, the fat in the rice oxidizes, causing the color to darken. |
| Insect-eaten | Rice worm or borer activity causes rice to spoil, along with black impurities. |
| Improper storage | High temperature, high humidity or loose sealing accelerates rice deterioration. |
2. Can the rice be eaten if it turns black?
According to the hotly discussed health topics on the Internet, the safety of blackened rice needs to be judged on a case-by-case basis:
| situation | Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Slight blackening (a few black spots) | The black spots can be picked out and eaten, but they need to be thoroughly washed and cooked. |
| Extensive blackening or mildew | Do not eat as it may contain aflatoxin and other carcinogens. |
| Accompanied by odor or moisture | Discard directly to avoid food poisoning. |
3. How to deal with blackened rice?
The following are the recommended processing methods for popular lifestyle content in the past 10 days:
| Treatment method | Operation steps |
|---|---|
| Sorting and cleaning | 1. Spread the blackened rice and pick out the obvious blackened part; 2. Wash with clean water 3-4 times until the water is clear. |
| sun exposure | 1. Spread the rice flat in a clean container; 2. Expose it to the sun for 2-3 hours (moisture-proof and sterilization). |
| freezing treatment | 1. Put the rice into a sealed bag; 2. Place in the freezer of the refrigerator for 24 hours (to kill insect eggs). |
| Processing and utilization | 1. Slightly spoiled rice can be ground into powder to make cakes; 2. Use it for brewing or feed after being thoroughly cooked. |
4. How to prevent rice from turning black?
Based on the recently hotly searched storage tips, the following preventive measures are recommended:
| method | Description |
|---|---|
| Sealed storage | Use a vacuum-sealed jar or thickened plastic bag to remove the air and then seal. |
| Desiccant moisture-proof | Put food-grade desiccant or pepper packets in the rice box (1 packet for every 5kg of rice). |
| Low temperature storage | In summer, rice can be packaged and refrigerated, and the temperature should be controlled below 15°C. |
| Regular inspection | Check the condition of the rice every month and dry it in time if it is found to be wet. |
5. Alternatives hotly discussed by netizens
In recent discussions on rice preservation on social platforms, the following methods have received high praise:
1.Tea preservation method: Wrap the dry tea leaves (preferably green tea) with gauze and put them in a rice vat. The moisture absorption rate of the tea leaves reaches 20%.
2.Garlic pest control method: Whole unpeeled garlic is buried in rice. Allicin can inhibit the growth of mold.
3.Kelp dehumidification method: Mix dried kelp and rice at a ratio of 1:100, take out the kelp and dry it for reuse every week.
6. Expert advice
According to recent food safety media reports, experts specifically remind:
1. Even if the moldy rice is cooked at high temperature, aflatoxin cannot be completely removed, so do not risk eating it.
2. When purchasing rice, choose small packages (within 5kg) and it is best to consume it within 1 month after opening.
3. If the rice is found to be lumpy or hot, it means it has begun to deteriorate and should be dealt with as soon as possible.
Through the above analysis and processing methods, I hope it can help you effectively solve the problem of rice blackening. Pay attention to scientific storage in daily life, which can not only ensure food safety but also avoid waste.
check the details
check the details