Rice polisher

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Rice polisher japanese

Rice polisher

A rice polisher is a machine used in the rice milling process to buff kernels of rice to change their appearance, taste, and texture. The polishing process removes the outer bran layer of the rice, resulting in a smoother, shinier grain. This process is essential in producing white rice from brown rice.

History

The development of rice polishers can be traced back to the early 20th century. The invention of the rice polisher revolutionized the rice milling industry by significantly improving the efficiency and quality of rice production. Early models were manually operated, but modern rice polishers are typically automated and highly efficient.

Types of Rice Polishers

There are several types of rice polishers, each designed for specific purposes and scales of operation:

• Horizontal Rice Polisher: This type uses a horizontal cylinder to polish the rice. It is commonly used in large-scale rice milling operations.
• Vertical Rice Polisher: This type uses a vertical cylinder and is often used in smaller milling operations.
• Water Rice Polisher: This type uses a small amount of water during the polishing process to reduce the temperature and prevent the rice from cracking.

Process

The rice polishing process involves several steps:

1. **Cleaning**: The rice is cleaned to remove impurities such as stones, dust, and husks. 2. **Hulling**: The outer husk of the rice is removed to produce brown rice. 3. **Polishing**: The brown rice is polished to remove the bran layer, resulting in white rice. This is done by friction, where the rice grains rub against each other and the polishing chamber.

Advantages

The use of rice polishers offers several advantages:

• **Improved Appearance**: Polished rice has a more appealing appearance, which is preferred by consumers.
• **Enhanced Taste and Texture**: Polishing improves the taste and texture of the rice, making it more palatable.
• **Extended Shelf Life**: Polished rice has a longer shelf life compared to brown rice, as the removal of the bran layer reduces the risk of rancidity.

Disadvantages

Despite its benefits, rice polishing also has some disadvantages:

• **Nutrient Loss**: The polishing process removes the bran layer, which contains essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• **Energy Consumption**: Rice polishers require significant energy to operate, which can increase production costs.

Applications

Rice polishers are used in various applications, including:

• **Commercial Rice Milling**: Large-scale rice mills use polishers to produce white rice for the market.
• **Small-Scale Milling**: Smaller operations use rice polishers to meet local demand.
• **Specialty Rice Production**: Some rice polishers are designed to produce specialty rice products, such as sushi rice.

See Also

• Rice milling
• White rice
• Brown rice
• Sushi rice
• Grain processing