Abstract
In order to investigate the optimum moisture content of paddy for milling process, a series of tests were conducted by examining the recovery rate and whiteness of milled rice in relation with the various moisture content. Hwabong-byeo and Dongjin-byeo varieties which were major paddies cultivated in Korea were used for the experiment. The test was performed with small experimental milling machines. In order to minimize the unexpected factors, environment conditions were kept in constant during the experiment. As a result, the recovery rate of milled rice were varied as the changes in milling time and degree of whiteness. However, the recovery rate of milled rice increases as its moisture content increases untill a certain point of moisture content and decreases slowly afterward. This certain point can be called optimum moisture content for rice milling. Also, it has a different value depending on the variety. In this experiment, optimum moisture content of Hwabong-byeo and Dongjin-byeo were considered around 14.8% and 15.3%, respectively. It is not sure that these optimum moisture contents for the two varieties would assume the same values irrespective of harvest year and place. However, it could be concluded that the optimum moisture content for rice milling is around 15%(w.b.) for Hwabong-byeo and 15.5%(w.b.) for Dongjin-byeo, respectively.
