Abstract: Various varieties of rice are subjected to heat treatment either by torrefaction in the presence of some water, by steaming, or by boiling, the water in each instance containing dissolved chemicals, for the purpose of modifying the protein content and the starch content to condition the product for subsequent accelerated water imbibation during final cooking for eating. Chemicals for such purpose are citrates, including sodium citrate, magnesium citrate and calcium citrate, and alkali metal phosphates, including orthophosphates, metaphosphates, and pyrophosphates. Calcium chloride reduces the temperature of heat treatment required and deters adhesion between the grains. Calcium chloride carried by the rice grains deters loss of moisture from the grains during storage irrespective of the type of treatment to which the grains have been subjected otherwise.