Most Korean rice and grains are sold packaged although some grains may be available at some bulk stores. So, I will cover both.
When buying packaged rice and grains, do not purchase any bags of rice that are ripped, have holes, or have water damage. Yellowish discolored parts of the bag of rice or grains could be a sign of previous water damage.
If you are purchasing bulk rice and grains, then there are some rules of thumb to ensure that the rice is of good quality.
I have met a man who can tell the freshness and year of rice just by looking at it. But of course, he is a legend and “goals” so here are the simple things to look out for!
- Check if there are any foreign substances in the rice or grains. This could include small stones so even if you purchase prebagged rice you need to check your rice for foreign substances. Keep in mind some rice has beetle eggs that can hatch in the bag – you’ll learn how to prevent them later when we discuss storing rice.
- Make sure the rice is transparent and clean. You should avoid purchasing rice that is visually dirty, dusty, etc.
- Avoid cracked or discolored grains. The discoloration can vary from brown when it should be white.
- Avoid any rice that has an old rice smell.
