You know those small irritating black bug creatures that lurk in the rice bucket? The ones we Hokkiens not-so-fondly refer to as “koo”? These things have been plaguing me for as long as I can remember.
You see, since I only most of the time cook during weekends, or every other weekend, it is inevitable that one 5 kilo pack of rice can last us months on end. So these “koo” will invade our rice bucket especially towards the last bit of the rice.
What to do? I’ve heard from my Mom that the “koo” will not breed if rice is cooked and used frequently, like every day. Since I don’t do that, I put my rice in an air-tight container in the hope that the “koo” will not breed. But still the “koo”s will appear eventually. Why? Apparently the eggs from the “koo” are already present in the rice. So there’s virtually nothing one can do about it and leaving the eggs there with the rice will well…. cause them to breed.
So still a problem until NOW….I am proud to say that there is a solution! Place the rice in the FREEZER for 2 days. This will prevent the eggs from hatching and thus prevent “koo” from breeding. We tried this out during the recent CNY – we put the rice in the freezer and have been using it “koo”-free since. So far so good – let’s hope it stays that way 😉
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Ewwww! Sounds totally yucky. Glad you found a solution. Hope the eggs wash off when you clean the rice. Yucks if not. 😛
The Giddy Tiger says: Eggs and rice are of the same color … hehehe….
errr….you mean to put the whole bag of rice in the freezer first for 2 days and then place it back in the regular bin?
The Giddy Tiger says: Yeah, or if the bag of rice is too big, then pour out into several containers and put it in the freezer. After 2 days, can remove and put it back in the regular rice bin. I’m thinking drying the rice in the oven works too, but didn’t try that. Try the freezer thing and let me know how it goes… you have the “koo” problem too?
I have the same problem. Maybe I should try that too. I found that some brands, not many koo problem.
The Giddy Tiger says: Yeah, try it and let me know how it goes. I find that Organic rice brands like Taj Mahal has more “koo”.
wah….my freezer is alwas full leh so impossible to stuff rice in…. but so far the brand we are using is quite ok… not much bugs breading…
The Giddy Tiger says: My freezer is also quite full with my stock of EBM, but I managed to squeeze the major part of my 5kilo rice pack in (I poured it into an air-tight container). Yours should be ok since (I think) you cook everyday right?
Aiyo..only 2 adults & 1 bb at home, u buy 5 kilo rice packs. i always buy in 1 kilo pack so no koo problem. But thanks for sharing the freezer tip!
THe Giddy Tiger says: I buy Taj Mahal and it only comes in 5 kilo ma..besides 5 kilo more economical…
did you try put some garlic in the rice? i have no idea to put garlic in but this is what my mom did and i just follow. So far never see any “koo” that you mention ler.
The Giddy Tiger says: Nope, haven’t tried garlic yet. I think my Mom told me about this too…or was it ginger? Thanks for the tip though!
Are those beetles?
The Giddy Tiger says: Some kinda, I guess. Black icky creatures they are.