Washing rice before cooking: experts share mixed answers

The culinary world has long been debating whether or not to wash rice before cooking a particular dish. There is still no definitive answer and this is not surprising. SSPDaily learned more about this issue.

After all, both supporters and opponents of rice washing during cooking are right. And it all depends on what kind of dish you are going to cook and what type of rice you are going to use, according to the ABCAction News.

You've probably heard many cooks say that rinsing rice before cooking certain dishes makes it more crumbly and prevents it from sticking together during and after cooking. This makes sense because you don't want to end up with a lump of stuck together cereal instead of crumbly rice.

The explanation is simple. Rinsing rice with water removes excess starch, which is the compound that makes rice turn into an unpleasant lump of cereal when cooked. In the process of rinsing with water, the rice actually changes its texture, which affects the quality of the dish you are preparing and makes the cereal looser and lighter. This, for example, applies to cooking the well-known pilaf.

However, culinary experts warn that you should not get too carried away with rice rinsing when preparing certain dishes. It is emphasized that if you are planning to cook risotto or paella, do not even think about rinsing. After all, this process will affect the cereal in such a way that you will not end up with the dish you were hoping for.

At the same time, there is also a more simpler factor in favor of rinsing rice before cooking. It's no secret that dust, debris, and the most unexpected impurities can get into rice during storage, transportation, and packaging. Rinsing the rice can make the cereal clean and protect you from eating unnecessary impurities.

In addition, the soil in certain rice-growing regions (for example, the southern United States) is full of dangerous elements, including arsenic. Therefore, rinsing rice, in addition to its flavor characteristics, can also protect you from exposure to toxic substances.

Some researchers argue that rinsing rice also washes away nutrients necessary for the body, such as iron, folic acid, niacin, and vitamins. Experts summarize that the issue of rinsing rice depends on the type of cereal, as well as the personal preferences of those who cook it.