the
clueless cook's handbook: is it really necessary to rinse rice? |
is it really necessary
to rinse
rice? Most recipes will tell you to rinse
the rice before cooking, in order to get rid of the surface starches that coat
the rice grains and result in stickier rice. (Of course, it’s also good for
washing away other impurities, and though it’s not so common anymore, many
Asian rice varieties used to contain talc, which absolutely needed to be rinsed
away). The proper method to rinse is to do so in several changes of water,
swirling the grains around each time, until the water runs clear. Drain rice
through a sieve to get rid of as much excess water as possible. Be aware,
though, that most rice that comes from here in the U.S. is enriched with
nutrients that will also be washed away if you decide to rinse. Basically, rinse
if you want your rice less sticky. Don’t rinse if you’re looking to get
maximum nutritive value out of your rice (or if you’re just plain lazy).
more rice basics ... short-grain vs. long grain | rinsing rice | cooking rice | how much rice to cook | brown rice |