Every inventive chef loves rice cakes. The liberty to realize any shape, size, and color with the cereal grain is thrilling, but their potency may pose worry. What’s become of excess rice cakes? Do rice cakes go bad?
Short Answer:
Yes, rice cakes eventually go bad over time. Various indications from its looks to odor prove its spoilage. But there are preventive storage actions to take.
Continue this article to understand:
What Are Rice Cakes?
A rice cake is essentially rice that has been combined, condensed, or shaped into an object.
Different ingredients can serve as the binding substance, but the rice remains primary.
Others like sugar, chocolate, cheese, sweet chili, and salt improve their flavor.
Furthermore, the three most familiar variations are cakes made from whole grains, those made with ground rice, and those made with rice flour.
Did you know?
The creation of rice cakes started in Southeast Asia! And there is a National Rice Cake Day that is celebrated every 29th of November.
Can Rice Cakes Go Bad? How Long Do They Last?
Homemade
Homemade rice cakes last for four days in the fridge.
Beyond then, it may still be safely consumable but at a lower quality.
Commercial
On the other hand, packaged commercial rice cake can last until its expiration date.
In fact, it will usually stay good for consumption for over a year from production. It will retain its best quality provided you don’t puncture its seal.
Korean
Korean rice cakes (Tteok), though, have different longevity from others.
Uncooked ones will last refrigerated for three days. Frozen, they’ll stay for three months.
On the other hand, cooked Korean cakes will also last for three days.
But we highly advise against freezing them to preserve their texture & flavor.
How To Tell If Rice Cake Has Gone Bad?
Although estimates for spoilage are usually the case, various factors can make them spoil prematurely.
Try noticing any of these signs to confirm if they’ve gone bad:
1. Bloated package
Store-bought rice cakes come in sealed, regular packages.
Any deformation in size & shape usually means it’s spoilt. Please discard it quickly! (*)
2. Smells off
Homemade or commercially-bought rice cake mostly smells like rice.
Moreover, other ingredients may influence its aroma, but any off-odor, either stale or sharp, means that it’s gone bad.
3. Tastes bad
It’s probably not your first time eating a rice or rice cake, so you may know how distinct its flavor is.
So, if you taste anything out of the ordinary, just dump it immediately!
4. Mold-covered
Molds form an uncommon green, black, or white texture on poorly-stored rice cakes. On quick but close inspection, you can discover them. If you do, please toss it into the garbage can.
5. Has lumps or spots
It’s always advisable to observe stored rice cakes before eating. It’s most likely spoilt if you see any unusual spots or particles.
6. Stored for too long
If you’ve refrigerated or frozen rice cakes beyond their recommended shelf life, disposing of them is the best option.
How to Store Rice Cakes?
Rice cakes tend to go stale fast. Follow these simple techniques to extend their shelf life.
1. Store-Bought: Place In a cool, dry place
Rice cakes can remain in their package for as long as required.
Ensure the container/package is sealed, unpunctured, and airtight.
You can reseal an opened one easily with a chip clip.
Checkmate the warmness and humidity of the pantry where you’ll keep them.
The rice cake’s texture will change otherwise.
2. Keep them in airtight containers
Arrange each homemade cake in airtight containers and add them to your pantry.
3. Refrigerate them
Keep homemade rice cakes in an airtight container and place them in a refrigerator.
Consume them as soon as you can for the best quality.
We don’t advise freezing rice cakes because it can change the flavor & texture.
- Note: Freezing rice cake is okay but don’t be surprise that the texture may not be the same as before after thawing them. Some added ingredients like eggs or meat might not do as well in your freezer.
Learn more: Does Rice Expire or Go Bad? (FULL ANALYSIS)
Frequently Asked Questions
Take Away
Do rice cakes go bad? Unfortunately, like most foods, rice cakes go bad after some time resulting from microbial growth.
- Homemade rice cakes have a shelf life of between three to four days, unlike store-bought ones of a year.
- Cooked and uncooked Korean rice cakes, on the other hand, will stay refrigerated for three days.
To ascertain whether or not rice cakes have spoilt, smell, taste, or observe them for anything out-of-the-ordinary.
If confirmed, please dispose of them quickly.
Up Next: The Ideal Shelf Life of Flour, Grains, and Wheat
