Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of quick cooking rice having a natural appearance and smooth mouthfeel. The rice is produced by mechanically manipulating wet rice at a moisture content of from more than 17% to 32% by weight, preferably by wet milling the rice to remove the bran, followed by drying. The wet milling results in a product with quick cooking properties, superior cook yield and eating properties. The mechanically manipulated wet rice can also be instantized after the wet flexing step to produce an instant rice. Accordingly, the invention provides quick cooking and instant rices obtainable by the claimed processes.

Abstract: A boil-in-bag package for the storage and cooking of food items includes an elongated rectangular shaped bag having an inside and an outside wall, a closed top end and an open bottom end. A handle section is adjacent the top end of the bag section, with the handle section having an upper and a lower portion and a first and second side. The upper portion of the handle section includes an opening sized and shaped for receiving a lifting utensil. A sealing/release mechanism is positioned on the handle section and is configured to releaseably close the open bottom end of the elongated bag section contiguous with the handle section thereby forming a U-shaped package configured to allow a through-flow of fluid between the inside walls of the U-shaped package. The sealing/release mechanism is further configured to allow for the release of the open bottom end from the handle section without contacting the elongated bag section.

Abstract: The present invention sorts unselected product from selected product using a chute having a grain separating section, a cross section to orientate the product, and a grain stabilizing section; a laser with a laser line transmitted through the product; a photo detector and processor to receive and analyze the light transmitted through the product to determine which product are unselected; and a separator to separate the selected and unselected product.

Abstract: The present invention sorts unselected product from selected product using a chute having a grain separating section, a cross section to orientate the product, and a grain stabilizing section; a laser with a laser line transmitted through the product; a photo detector and processor to receive and analyze the light transmitted through the product to determine which product are unselected; and a separator to separate the selected and unselected product.

Abstract: The present invention sorts imperfect grains from perfect grains using a chute having a grain separating section, a cross section to orientate the grains, and a grain stabilizing section; a laser with a laser line transmitted through the grains; a photo detect or and processor to receive and analyze the light transmitted through the grains to determine which grains are imperfect; and a separator to separate the perfect and imperfect grains.

Abstract: The amount of small airborne particles of rice hull ash is minimized by treating the particles with a coating of vegetable oil and/or glyceride in and on the surface of the particles without filling the porous spaces within the rice hull ash particles.

Abstract: Parboiled rice having the beneficial properties of parboiled rice, such as intact grain structure and texture, and having improved color vis-a-vis a typical parboiled rice, and further in the case of a brown rice starting material being substantially without the characteristic parboiled flavor and color, and methods of making same.

Abstract: A carton with a pour spout having top, bottom, front, back, and two side portions, wherein one of the side portions has a pour spout therein. The pour spout has a pull tab connected to an orifice cover at a hinge line. The orifice cover is connected to the side of the carton at a second hinge line. The orifice, located directly behind the orifice cover, has a trough-shaped bottom. The pour spout is re-closable by inserting the pull tab through the orifice, back inside the carton. A re-open notch is provided for easy re-opening of the pour spout.

Abstract: A process which comprises treatment of rice grains by contact with a non-aqueous media, organic liquid or liquified gas which is substantially inert to water and the rice grain being treated, permitting only the transfer of heat to effectuate desired food processing such as gelatinization, parboiling, cooking, frying, baking, roasting or the like, and a product made by that process.