With so many different ways to prepare it, there is still a debate about whether to wash rice before cooking. It's a staple around the world, though professional cooks say rice needs to be rinsed before cooking.
Food experts recommend rinsing dry rice before cooking because it helps remove contaminants, heavy metals, dirt, and insects that may be in the rice. Even if we buy it packaged by a well-known brand.
Eliminates contaminants and improves texture
The main reason some health professionals recommend that we wash rice is because it can be loaded with contaminants and heavy metals. Rice is especially high in arsenic, lead, and cadmium, which pose serious health risks to humans. However, the likelihood of experiencing toxicity from heavy metals when eating rice it is probably quite low.
Also, washing rice removes things we don't want on our plates, like dirt, dust, debris, chemicals, and bugs. Grains are very prone to contamination by rice weevils (also known as grain beetles). They are small insects that can infest food and cause it to spoil more quickly. If we find insects in the rice, it is very likely that the infestation has spread or spread to the rest of the grains. If we have an infested bag of rice, it is better to throw it away.
In addition, this cereal is a rich source of starch, which can lead to thick, rubbery textures when it cooks. To avoid this, it is recommended to wash the rice to get the best flavor and consistency. The starch in the rice makes the grains sticky. Rinsing the rice removes a layer of excess starch, resulting in a fluffier texture and better flavor. If we do not rinse the rice, it can also clump together and remain as a block.
How to wash rice
Rinsing the rice before cooking only takes us a couple of extra minutes and doesn't require a ton of material. To wash it correctly and that we have loose rice we must follow these steps:
- Pour the dry rice into a deep bowl.
- Cover it with water, but not too much so that it is easy for us to overturn.
- Use your hands to move the rice in the water.
- throw the water
- Repeat this process until the water runs clear. Normally it comes out after the fourth wash.