Rice Flour

It is easy to take for granted the simple act of eating a meal, but each bite involves a intricate process that begins long before the food reaches your plate. In this blog post, we will be taking an in-depth look at the journey of rice flour from the source to the finished product served on your plate. Through discussing the harvesting, milling, separation, packing, and distribution of rice flour, readers will gain a greater appreciation for the sophisticated and complex process that leads to a incredibly simple and delicious dish.

Harvesting of Rice

Rice is one of the oldest and most widely consumed staple foods worldwide, providing over 20% of the world’s total calories and being a vital part of diets in almost every corner of the globe. The grains used to create rice flour, however, originate in the warm, wet climates of tropical and sub-tropical regions like South East Asia and the Middle East. Rice is made up of a husk, bran and endosperm, with the bran and endosperm containing the essential nutrients that makes it such a beneficial part of diets and allows flour to be created.

The harvesting process usually starts in late August, when the heads of the rice plants are cut with sickles or by hand. The entire plant is collected and placed in bundles, ready for threshing - which is the removal of the grains from the plants. Immediately after threshing, the rice grains are dried in the sun or under cover to reduce their moisture content. Once dry, the grains can be stored for consumption, or milled further to create flour.

Milling Process

The first part of the milling process is the removing of the husks, or the outer shells of the grains, to reveal the white endosperm. The husks, or hulls, can be mechanically stripped away using husking machines, also known as decorticators, with careful adjustments to ensure that the bran and germ, as well as some of the endosperm, is not removed. This resulting de-husked rice is known as brown rice, and can be used in its own right as a whole grain, or milled further to create rice flour.

From brown rice, flour is created by polishing, or grinding de-husked rice grains between metal rollers or stones. This process usually consists of two stages, starting with rough milling. During this stage, the rice and the endosperm are separated from the husk, resulting in an edible flour that still contains most of the endosperm particles and some protein, minerals, and vitamins. The second stage of milling involves the fine milling of the rough milled rice flour (or brown flour), which removes most of the endosperm particles and reduces the protein, minerals, and vitamins content further. This process eliminates most of the nutrition, but it also removes abrasive particles that could spoil the delicate flavour and texture of rice flour. The result is a highly consistent and finely ground white rice flour.

Separation and Packing

After the flour has been milled, it goes through a separation process to ensure any bran and germ that was not removed during the husking and milling process has been completely removed. The white flour then needs to be packed in air-tight containers or sealed bags to keep it fresh, as prolonged exposure to oxygen can turn the flour rancid and make it predisposed to insect infestation. The flour is usually packed in sealed 15kg sacks or paper bags to further reduce oxidation and retain the natural flavour, aroma and texture.

Distribution

Providing the flour has been stored in the correct conditions, it is now ready for distribution. Again, sacks and paper bags are the most common packaging, as they allow for safe transportation and transport of products. The sacks and paper bags are loaded onto trucks, trains, and boats, depending on the distance they are travelling, and the flour is delivered to grocers around the nation, or the world.

Once the flour arrives at its destination, it is usually offloaded and stored in warehouses or retail stores. Depending on the country, there may be additional steps that need to be taken to comply with government regulations regarding food items. The flours are then placed on shelves for purchase by consumers.

Conclusion

As you can see, the journey of a single grain of rice to a plate of delicious food is filled with science, interesting processes, and a complex global network for transportation. Rice flour is created by carefully harvesting, milling and separating the grains, then packing the flour in air-tight containers or sealed bags, so that it is free from contamination and ready for consumers around the globe. From a single grain of rice to your dinner plate, the journey of rice flour is vast and varied, but the result is always worth it.