Rinsing Rice

[John81]

How is this done?

I was looking at some cooking instructions for a rice meal and it stated the rice should be rinsed until the water becomes clear. Considering the rice would go right through all of the strainers we have how is one supposed to rinse their rice? Is it necessary to rinse the rice?

[Invicta]

We have a number of stainers, all of which will hold rice. We have just used up a jar of rice which had saffron in it, and it told you to soak therice for 20mins before cooking, you then boiled in the same water. If you rinsed it most of the saffron flavour would be lost.

I suppose the rice could be pre-washed, like American quick cook rice.

[John81]

What I read said to rinse the rice until the yellowish look of the water became clear. I'm not sure what's supposed to cause the water too look yellowish or why they say to rinse this away or if it's even necessary.

I've never cooked much with rice before, other than some instant rice, so this is rather new to me.

[Anon]

They make fine mesh strainers that will hold rice.

I assume its to wash away all the starch so the rice will not be as sticky. Just a guess.

[John81]

Thank you Suzy. I may see if I can find a mesh strainer the next time I'm in the store and try this to see if it makes any difference or not.

[Lee-Anne]

I always wash the rice when I cook it. It comes out much nicer!

[kevinmiller]

You don't need to use a strainer to wash it. Just get a bowl and put the rice that you are going to use in it. Then put water in it until it's an inch or two over the surface of the rice. Use your hand to swish it around really good for a minute and the water will have a kind of cloudy look to it. Hold your hand over the bottom of the bowl to keep from losing the rice as you pour out the water. Usually you have to do this about three time until the water is pretty clear.

[joyfulpraise93]

You don't need to use a strainer to wash it. Just get a bowl and put the rice that you are going to use in it. Then put water in it until it's an inch or two over the surface of the rice. Use your hand to swish it around really good for a minute and the water will have a kind of cloudy look to it. Hold your hand over the bottom of the bowl to keep from losing the rice as you pour out the water. Usually you have to do this about three time until the water is pretty clear.

YEP YEP

[bzmomo7]

They tell you to rinse rice for a couple of reasons. 1. is the starch factor and it does help it 2. sometimes whole grain rice needs to be rinsed for the same reasons you rinse veggies etc. --you might even find some rice pieces you want to throw out etc. One thing to keep in mind is that if you are using white rice instead of whole grain, it is "enriched" with vitamins that have been removed during the processing of taking off the outer hull. (the lost vitamins and fiber are why whole grain is better for you) so, if you rinse the white rice until the water runs clear, you are rinsing off all of the vitamins as well....which is fine, if that doesn't bother you. Some rice cookers instruct you to rinse before you cook the rice because it helps also prevent the rice from bubbling over while cooking. The rice cooker that I use is one of them that does not need the rice to be rinsed. I personally, love to mix whole grain and fancy white rices together.........tastes yummy, and very pretty, too! One of my Asian sister in laws told me that back in Laos, they used to save that rice water (from soaking the rice) and give it to their babies to drink.

[kevinmiller]

The steam from the rice is supposed to be really good for your skin, too.

[Madeline]

There are some rice such as "sticky rice" that should not be rinsed because of the starch which keeps the rice sticky. http://www.thaifoodandtravel.com/ingredients/stickyr.html A friend of mine introduced me to this type of rice at a thai restaurant. I love this rice because you can roll it into a ball with your hands and dip it in a sauce and eat it just like that.

Love,
Madeline

[IM4given]

There are some rice such as "sticky rice" that should not be rinsed because of the starch which keeps the rice sticky. http://www.thaifoodandtravel.com/ingredients/stickyr.html A friend of mine introduced me to this type of rice at a thai restaurant. I love this rice because you can roll it into a ball with your hands and dip it in a sauce and eat it just like that.

Love,
Madeline

The link you posted makes sticky rice sound delicious - I may have to give that a try! :hungry:

[John81]

Thanks Madeline! I might just have to check out some sticky rice :thumb

[matie-k]

We usually only buy Thai rice and never rinse it. :hide I suppose maybe we should get into the habit though. For some reason Thai rice is so much better than Chinese rice. I love the smell when it's just done and you can take the lid off the pot!

[John81]

I tried rinsing the rice the last time I cooked some and I didn't think it turned out as good as when I cook it without rinsing.