The Science Behind Yellowing Rice: Causes, Safety, and Best Storage Practices
Markus Winkler/unsplash Rice is a staple food for billions of people worldwide, particularly in Asia. However, many have noticed that rice stored in a rice cooker for extended periods often turns yellow. This raises common concerns: Is yellowed rice safe to eat? What causes this color change? And does the same phenomenon occur when rice is reheated using different methods, such as steaming or leaving it at room temperature? My Experience with Three-Day-Old Rice Recently, I had a personal experience that sparked my curiosity about this topic. I had cooked a liter of rice, which lasted me three days as I was living alone. One evening, while preparing a bowl of instant noodles with eggs and vegetables, I decided to pair it with the remaining rice. Upon opening the rice cooker, I noticed that my rice had turned yellow—not a moldy yellow, but more of a golden-brown hue. Many people commonly refer to this as "yellowing," but in reality, the color shift is closer to carameliza...
