Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a process for par-boiling rice, comprising the steps of: (a) treating the rice with water at a temperature up to its boiling point to increase its water content to 17 to 28%; (b) steaming the soaked rice at a temperature from 100.degree. to 125.degree. C. to increase its water content to 19 to 30%; (c) heating the steamed rice, in a sealed vessel, under pressure and using dry heat, to a minimum temperature of approximately t.degree. C., wherein t=195-2.5 M and M is the moisture content of the steamed rice in %, for from 1 to 5 minutes; (d) reducing the pressure on the rice over a period of 1 to 10 minutes to atmospheric pressure, thereby allowing water to evaporate from the heated rice to reduce its temperature to approximately 100.degree. C. and its water content to 17 to 24%; and (e) drying the partially dried rice to microbiological stability. The product of the present invention has better consumer appeal than conventional par-boiled rice.