Development of Techniques for Storing Rough Rice in Cold Regions (Part 3)

Quality Characteristics of Rough Rice Stored at Country Elevator

Abstract

Quality characteristics of rough rice stored at country elevator in Hokkaido and under controlled storage conditions (room-temperature storage, low-temperature storage and -5°C storage) were examined. The quality of rough rice stored at country elevator by aeration with fresh chilly air in winter was better than that of the rough rice stored under low-temperature storage and that of the rough rice stored at the country elevator with natural heat radiation in winter. The combination of storage of the rough rice at a temperature below ice point and utilization of fresh chilly air in winter enables the quality of rice to be preserved at a high level, similar to that of freshly harvested rice, without the requirement of a cooling unit or electricity.