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I have been making some horchata (using white rice, cinnamon and water). I left it for a day and when I returned, it looked slightly fermented (a stream of bubbles were coming out of it and it was frothy ever so slightly). I blended and sweetened it and it tasted delicious, with a slightly tangy taste.

My question is will it be safe to eat? I see no reason why it shouldn't be, after all it is no different to fermented ginger beer, but I would like to have some advice.

Peter Taylor
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Sbddy
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1 Answers1

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There is a pathogen, Bacillus cereus, which can grow on rice left out at room temperature and cause food born illness.

I was unable to find any references to proper fermentation of horchata which is normally not fermented as far as I can tell.

You may wish to be cautious in the future.

SAJ14SAJ
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    OK thanks, I only had a few sips; but to be safe I'm going to chuck it – Sbddy Jul 01 '13 at 16:06
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    There are a number of rice beers found in Asia such as Amazake in Japan and Makgeolli in Korea. Both of these rely on the use of a starter, koji or nuruk respectively, to inoculate the cooked rice with yeasts and other flavor-producing fungi. – Didgeridrew Jul 17 '13 at 23:08