Decoding rice washing: Health benefits, safety and recommended techniques
What is the purpose of washing rice
Washing rice before cooking plays a fundamental role both in terms of food safety and in terms of culinary results. Let's start with the first aspect. When we buy rice, despite the quality controls carried out by the producers, it can happen that dirt, insects or processing waste nestle among the grains. Not to mention the increasingly frequent presence of so-called microplastics, these very small plastic particles that end up on our plates due to environmental pollution. And last, but certainly not least, the possible heavy metals, also the result of soil contamination. A recent 2021 study highlighted an interesting fact: washing rice before cooking can help reduce the presence of these unwanted substances. Specifically, research has shown that this simple gesture can reduce plastic contamination by a percentage varying between 20 and 40%. A truly significant result, which confirms how important it is to take care of your diet even through small daily gestures. But washing rice, as well as for food safety reasons, is a practice that also significantly influences the goodness of the final result. Water, in fact, helps to remove the excess starch present on the grains, made visible by the whitish film that forms during rinsing. One of the main effects of starch during cooking, in fact, is the agglomeration of the rice grains, which tend to bind together giving a sticky appearance to the dish. The removal of the surface starch layer instead allows the grains to remain well separated from each other even after cooking, giving rise to a looser and more palatable result. Furthermore, the rice is softer and lighter, thus enhancing the organoleptic properties of this cereal. In conclusion, washing rice before cooking proves to be an important practice, both to guarantee maximum food safety and to be able to enjoy a well-separated and soft dish of rice. A small gesture that can really make a difference in our diet.
Disadvantages of washing rice
Although the habit of washing rice before cooking is widespread in many countries and is part of the culinary culture of many traditions, it is important to underline that this practice can entail some disadvantages. In fact, prolonged soaking of rice in water can end up depriving it of vital nutrients such as starch and B vitamins. Starch-rich rice varieties, such as risotto or sushi rice, are often subjected to pre-cooking water bath to obtain a dense and pasty consistency, typical of these dishes. However, starch is a type of complex carbohydrate that is essential for our bodies, providing energy and aiding digestion. Washing rice for too long or in cold water can therefore risk eliminating a significant amount of this precious nutrient. Equally worrying is the loss of group B vitamins, a group of 8 vitamins essential for the well-being of our body. These vitamins play a key role in maintaining the health of the nervous system, hair, skin and liver, and are essential for the production of energy from the foods we consume. Rice, especially in its whole grain variants, is one of the main sources of B vitamins, but these are soluble in water and therefore can be easily lost during washing. Another aspect to take into account concerns the consistency of the rice, which can be altered by the washing process. Rinsing, in fact, can make the rice more "rubbery", that is, generally sticky. This can be ideal for some specific recipes, such as risotto or sushi, where the rice needs to act as a sort of binder. However, in numerous other dishes, such as rice salads or lighter risottos, a texture that is too chewy could compromise the finished result, making the rice grains excessively sticky and heavy. In conclusion, despite being a rather widespread preparation technique, washing rice before cooking may not always be the right choice to make. It may be appropriate to carefully consider whether the advantages of this practice, including the elimination of any impurities, compensate for any disadvantages, such as the loss of key nutrients and changes in the texture of the rice.
Which rice to wash and how
Not all rice varieties require the same preliminary treatment. Despite what you might think, washing rice before cooking is not a universal ritual, but highly depends on the type of rice you are using and the dish you intend to prepare. For example, basmati rice, famous for its delicate aroma and widely used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, needs to be washed before cooking. This operation allows you to remove the excess starch present on the surface of the grains, ultimately guaranteeing a lighter and distinctly grainy consistency, a distinctive element of the preparation based on this type of rice. The same goes for Thai rice, otherwise known as jasmine rice, known for its distinctive floral aroma. Black and red rice, often used in Asian cuisines, also need to be washed before cooking. These varieties of rice, particularly rich in fiber and antioxidants, if washed well before cooking, do not lose their nutritional properties, but guarantee an optimal final result, without excess starch which could otherwise alter their consistency. Furthermore, if you are thinking of preparing sushi, you will certainly know that even the specific rice for this famous Japanese dish must be carefully washed before cooking, to make the grains tiny, compact and shiny, just as required by tradition. On the contrary, the rice used for risotto, porridge or rice desserts should be prepared dry, since soaking could deprive it of that starch film that guarantees the characteristic creaminess of these types of dishes. Once you've determined which rice to wash, the process is extremely simple. Simply immerse it in a bowl of cold water and move it gently with your hands, which will help remove excess starch. Then, drain it with a sieve or colander and rinse until the water becomes clear. This step may require several repetitions, but it is essential to obtain a perfect final result. Remember, in fact, that washing the rice well can make a big difference in the success of your dish.
