Frequently Asked Questions

Category

• I have a specific food related allergy not listed above, what can I do?
  Please contact our Consumer Information Center at 1-800-226-9522, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 4PM Central Standard Time.
• When I cook my rice it always turns out … too hard, too soft, mushy, gummy. Why?
  Just be sure you have the correct rice for the right purpose or recipe you are preparing. Never disturb the rice during cook time. Some other reasons could be: correct measurement of rice and water, inadequate simmer or cook time, correct pot size, appropriate burner size.
• What type of rice should I use when making rice pudding? Sushi? Rice Pilaf?
  For rice pudding and sushi, use medium or short grain rice. For a rice pilaf, use long grain rice.
• What is the best way to cook white rice?
  A general procedure for cooking long grain white rice is the 1-2-3 rule … 1 part uncooked long grain or medium grain rice, plus 2 parts liquid, equals 3 parts cooked rice. Bring 2 cups of *liquid to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Stir in 1 cup of rice. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let steam with the lid on for 2 minutes longer. *You can use meat or vegetable stock instead of plain water. Makes 3 cups cooked rice.
• After cooking my rice, it has a bad taste and/or smell?
  It is possible for rice to absorb other smells or odors, while in storage. An additional possibility could be the quality of water in which the rice was prepared.
• Can I cook Carolina^® White Rice in a conventional oven?
  For the oven … in a shallow pan, use boiling liquid, add rice, stir, cover and bake at 350°F. Cook long grain rice for 25 to 30 minutes; parboiled rice 30 to 40 minutes; and brown rice 50 to 60 minutes.
• Can I cook Carolina^® White Rice in a crock pot?
  This is not recommended.
• Can I cook Carolina^® White Rice in a microwave oven?
  Yes … in a 2-quart microwave-safe dish combine 2 cups of water and 1 cup of rice. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes. Reduce setting to 50% power, microwave for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. If your microwave does not have variable power settings, follow the manufacturer's directions. Also, it is not recommended to cook more than 1 cup of uncooked rice in the microwave.
• Can I cook Carolina^® White Rice in a pressure cooker?
  This is not recommended.
• Can I cook Carolina^® White Rice in a rice cooker?
  Yes, refer to manufacturers directions for the specific rice cooker you have purchased.
• Can I cook Carolina^® White Rice in any liquid other than water?
  Yes, but if you are using fruit juices, we recommend using ½ juice and ½ water. Meat or vegetable stocks can be used instead of water. Or, just add a bouillon cube to the water.
• How do I cook Carolina^® White Rice at high altitude?
  As the best method, we recommend an electric rice cooker for a more controlled cooking environment. Or, cook rice in excess water, cook and simmer the rice uncovered.
• How do I thaw Carolina^® White Rice that I have stored in the freezer?
  Let the frozen rice come to room temperature, and then reheat. Add 2 tablespoons of water per 1 cup of rice, heat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. For the microwave oven, add 2 tablespoons of water per 1 cup of rice, cover and heat for about 1 minute.
• How many calories are in a serving of Carolina^® White Rice?
  There are 150 calories in a ¼ cup dry (¾ cup cooked) serving of long grain enriched rice. For the calories in each of our mixes OR any of our other rice products, please refer to the Products tab above.
• How many fat grams are in Carolina^® White Rice?
  There are ZERO grams of fat in long grain white rice. For the fat grams in each of our Mixes OR any of our other rice products, please refer to the Products tab above.
• Is Carolina^® White Rice kosher approved?
  For information directly from Star K, click here. Or, visit one of our product pages for complete details.
• Is rinsing or washing Carolina^® White Rice necessary?
  No ... the rinsing removes the enrichment.
• What is a serving size of Carolina^® White Rice?
  Our long grain enriched rice and brown rice has a serving size of ¼ cup dry; or ¾ cup cooked. For more information, refer to the Products tab above.
• Why do you enrich Carolina^® White Rice?
  The USDA has established a standard of identity for enriched rice specifying the levels of thiamin, niacin, iron, and folic acid that the rice should contain. When the bran layer is removed from the brown rice to produce white rice, these vitamins and minerals are also removed. White rice is enriched to provide you with the same thiamine, niacin, and iron content as brown rice. By law, folic acid is added to the rice to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida, and is added to all enriched cereal products.
• What is the shelf life of uncooked Carolina^® White Rice?
  White rice products have nearly indefinite shelf lives. If stored properly and protected from infestation and extreme temperature fluctuations, white rice products may be maintained for long periods of time. For best results, place the product in a sealed container and store in a cool, dry place. Uncooked white rice may also be stored in a pantry, refrigerator, or freezer. For more shelf life information about other types of products, visit Still Tasty.
• What is the shelf life of uncooked Carolina^® Whole Grain Brown Rice?
  Since brown rice has a higher oil content than white rice, its shelf life is not as long. Please refer to the BEST BY date on the package; which for our brown rice products is 18 months from the date of manufacture. Refrigerated storage is recommended for brown rice. For more shelf life information about other types of products, visit Still Tasty.
• What is the shelf life of uncooked rice mixes?
  For taste and quality, the Mahatma® and Carolina® rice mixes have a limited shelf life. Spices do not maintain their freshness for long periods of time, therefore it is recommended to use the rice mixes shortly after purchasing, but within 18 months from the production code date. Please refer to the BEST BY date on the package. For more shelf life information about other types of products, visit Still Tasty.
• Why don't you have an expiration date on Carolina^® White Rice products?
  There is a BEST BY and production code date on our packages. However, it is possible for products to develop problems when out of our control, varying conditions can affect individual products differently.
• How do I find the production code date or expiration date on a package of Carolina^® White Rice?
  For Carolina® rice products packaged in boxes, please look for the BEST BY and production code date on the bottom flap of the box. For Mahatma® rice and Carolina® rice products packaged in plastic bags, our BEST BY and production code date is "ink stamped" on the back side of the bag.
• What is the best way to store uncooked Carolina^® White Rice?
  For best results, place the product in a sealed container and store in a cool, dry place. Uncooked white rice may also be stored in a pantry, refrigerator, or freezer.
• How long can I store cooked Carolina^® White Rice in the refrigerator? Freezer?
  Cooked rice can be refrigerated for up to six days, or stored in the freezer for six months.
• What are green kernels in Carolina^® Whole Grain Brown Rice Rice?
  These are immature kernels of rice, and have the same nutritional value as mature grains.
• Can I use Carolina^® White Rice in a soup?
  We recommend adding the cooked rice to other soup ingredients during the last five minutes of cooking.
  
  Chicken and Rice Soup
• Can I use Carolina^® White Rice to make a stir-fry or fried rice dish?
  Yes! For best results, try using left-over cooked white rice. Adding more whole grains to your diet? Try substituting cooked whole grain brown rice instead of regular white rice for your stir-fry or fried rice recipe.
• Can I use Carolina^® White Rice to make meatloaf?
  We recommend cooked rice in meatloaf to be sure there is enough liquid to re-hydrate the rice.
• Can I use Carolina^® White Rice to make rice pudding?
  Yes! Be sure to visit our recipe section for some great ideas for rice pudding.
• Can I use Carolina^® White Rice to make stuffed bell peppers?
  Yes! We have three great recipes for stuffed peppers, be sure to visit our recipe section.
• Can I use Carolina^® White Rice to make stuffed cabbage rolls?
  Yes! We recommend starting with cooked rice. Be sure to visit our recipe section for a great recipe.
• My recipe calls for one cup Converted® or parboiled rice. Can I substitute Mahatma Gold® or Carolina Gold®?
  Yes … see glossary for definition of Converted®. If your recipe requires parboiled rice, be sure you cook with the appropriate amount of liquid. Parboiled rice requires more liquid to prepare: 1 Cup parboiled rice; plus 2 ¼ Cups of Liquid; Yields about 3 cups of cooked rice.
• Where does your rice come from?
  We purchase our rice from farmers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and California. Our jasmine rice is imported from the country of Thailand. Our basmati rice is imported from India and Pakistan.
• Can I feed cooked rice to my dog or cat?
  Please consult your veterinarian.
• I cannot find my favorite Carolina^® in my local store, can I buy direct from you?
  Visit the "Shopping" tab above for several methods to purchase our products.
• I found Carolina^® White Rice at a store when I was on vacation. When we got back home, I couldn't find it anywhere. How can I purchase this?
  Click the "Products" tab above and select "Shopping" for methods to purchase our products.
• I've been buying Carolina^® White Rice for years and now my store has discontinued selling it. Where can I find Carolina^® White Rice?
  Click the "Products" tab above and select "Shopping" for methods to purchase our products.
• We have used Carolina^® White Rice since I was young. It's the only rice my family will eat. We've moved and can't find it anywhere. Where can we buy Carolina^® White Rice?
  Click the "Products" tab above and select "Shopping" for methods to purchase our products.
• Why does Carolina^® Whole Grain Brown Rice come in such a small size?
  Brown Rice is packaged in smaller sizes because it has a shorter shelf life than white rice.
• Where can I get a coupon for Carolina^® White Rice?
  From time to time, we may offer coupons for our products online through our website or with other vendors. We also feature valuable coupons throughout the year in your local newspaper. For individual requests for coupons, please visit the Contact Us page on this website and send us a note.
• How do you cook Carolina^® Whole Grain Brown Rice in 30 minutes?
  Instead of preparing whole grain brown rice with the traditional 45 minute cooking method, try our 30 Minute Cooking Method ... to prepare up to 2 cups of brown rice; bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Stir in rice. Return to a boil. Cook, uncovered for 30 minutes. If desired, 1 tablespoon tub margarine and 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of rice can be added to the water while cooking. Drain water. Serve.
  
• Carolina^® Black Beans and Rice mix is no longer available at my local grocery store. What happened?
  From time to time we evaluate whether a product variety is popular with our consumers. Sometimes, there are not enough consumers buying this product to support its continued production. As a result, this rice mix flavor has been discontinued.
• I've heard alot of news reports regarding arsenic in food products -- what about arsenic in rice?
  Arsenic is a naturally occurring chemical in soil and water. Low levels of arsenic can be found in all grains, not just rice, worldwide. Arsenic found in water is 100 percent inorganic, which is harmful when ingested in large amounts, whereas the majority of the arsenic in rice is the organic type. U.S. rice is a safe and wholesome food. There has been no incident in which arsenic in U.S. rice has led to any reported human health problem.