Understand why it is wrong to wash rice before cooking

Rice  provides us with many nutrients, it is a source of potassium, iron, magnesium and various vitamins, among other benefits.

In fact, rice gives our meals a special flavor and becomes a true complement to our dishes.

However, some wash the rice before cooking it as it is a custom inherited from our grandmothers. A practice that should be abandoned immediately, simply because it is not necessary.

The custom of doing this procedure is due to the fact that in previous years, when white rice was processed, it was covered with talcum powder so that it had a clearer and neater appearance. Because of this, many were forced to wash the rice well so they could cook it and then consume it.

According to an Italian expert, he gave his opinion on the matter, that it should not be washed because the secret to preparing a perfect risotto is to maintain all the starch it contains to achieve a creamy texture.

Another example is to prepare a traditional rice pudding for dessert or a pudding that requires creaminess.

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Why is it wrong to wash rice before cooking it?

First of all, we must understand that rice is a non-perishable food, which is why bacteria choose it as their preferred environment. And even if it were, the high temperature when cooking it will eliminate any microorganisms present in the rice grain.

It should precisely be taken into account that rice is a food full of starch, a substance that can sometimes work against the chef’s aspirations. When you pass the rice grains through a sieve and plenty of water, it releases the layer of starch that covers it and as a result, its behavior during the cooking time will not be the same.

Another point to consider is that not all types of rice have the same amount of starch. Those with medium or long grains have a moderate amount of starch that is suitable for dry rice.

On the other hand, short grain ones have much more starch and since they are ideal for preparing risotto, we should not rinse them, it is an essential requirement.

That is why polished white rice does not need to be washed, because it loses its nutrients when washed away by water. When rice is washed, it becomes very sticky when cooked.

For example, with respect to brown rice, washing has less impact on the nutrients. Because the grain is packed in its protective layer, it loses fewer vitamins and minerals when washed.

So we must understand that this supposed white dust , that the water will sweep away when washing the rice, is not dirt or chemicals, nor anything to worry about. It is simply the rice itself and its components.