Science Has Revealed The Reason Why You Should Wash Rice Before Cooking

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Anyone who often cooks rice probably knows that washing it before cooking is a good practice.

However, science has now explained why this is important, and it's not for the reason you might assume. 

If you've ever taken a close look at rice that's been washed compared to rice that hasn't, you can see the difference.

Washing your rice has a clear benefit, and science has given us insight into why it matters.

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It's like the contrast between rice that turns gooey and sticky versus rice that's light and tasty.

The ideal rice is one where the grains stick together a bit but also stay separate.

However, it's important to note that there are certain dishes where using unwashed rice is preferred, such as in a risotto or rice pudding.

Surprisingly, a scientific study revealed that washing rice doesn't significantly impact its stickiness.

The researchers experimented by washing rice in different ways—none at all, three times, or ten times—and couldn't find a noticeable difference in the stickiness afterward.

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Instead, the study argued that the type of rice you use plays a bigger role in determining how sticky it becomes.

For instance, glutinous rice tends to be stickier compared to long-grain rice.

The study suggested that the starch responsible for making rice sticky is released during the cooking process and is not present on the outer surface of the rice before cooking.

This is why various rice varieties exhibit different levels of stickiness.

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Interestingly, according to the study, washing rice doesn't seem to affect its stickiness.

However, the researchers still advocated for the practice of washing rice because it could contain impurities like dust, insects, or husk fragments.

Additionally, there's a concern about the presence of microplastics in rice, and washing could potentially help reduce the overall amount of microplastics in the rice.

Indeed, it remains a good practice to wash your rice before cooking it.

However, it's important to note that washing rice doesn't prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. After cooking, rice can be a breeding ground for bacteria that may lead to severe gastrointestinal diseases.

Leaving rice at room temperature for too long can be risky.

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Achieving the right water-to-rice ratio is crucial to avoid ending up with either mushy rice porridge or undercooked grains.

Some people opt for steaming or soaking the rice to ensure it softens before being used in a recipe—this depends on the dish you're preparing.

While culinary experts maintain that washing rice can reduce its stickiness after cooking, it's emphasized that regardless of this, washing the rice before cooking is a good practice.