melissel Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I often see this in recipes. Do I really need to do this? I just bought a 10-pound bag of brown rice that was tightly sealed (not vac packed solid, but the bag definitely sighed when I opened it). I also have some wild rice that I bought from the bulk bin. I'm wondering if there's some reason I don't know about for rinsing before I cook any of it. TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 It is entirely up to the rice and you. White, unenriched basmati from India turns into jello for me if I don't rinse it, plus the measurement depends on adding water to damp rice (for me). Trader Joe's brown basmati I NEVER rinse. I believe you are not to rinse enriched white (I never use it). I also don't rinse short grain brown, Burmese red, Thai black, etc. etc. The worst you will do is not get perfect fluffy rice once. I say skip it and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I've never seen a recipe that says to rinse rice... though thinking of it, I don't look at a lot of recipes with rice - I just make it as a side dish the same way my mom taught me. So maybe I'm just oblivious. I do always rinse quinoa (removes bitter taste) and lentils (I am less clear on why, but I've always been told to :tongue_smilie:) but rice I dump right in. If I've been screwing it up all these years, it hasn't hurt us! And the rice tastes good (and mine always comes out nice - I don't have a problem with over or undercooked rice). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 It is entirely up to the rice and you. White, unenriched basmati from India turns into jello for me if I don't rinse it, plus the measurement depends on adding water to damp rice (for me).Trader Joe's brown basmati I NEVER rinse. I believe you are not to rinse enriched white (I never use it). I also don't rinse short grain brown, Burmese red, Thai black, etc. etc. Ah. I never make white rice. Even my mom made brown rice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I've not rinsed rice but I did learn to freeze it first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I think rice is sometimes mixed with talcum powder. Here's what it says on wiki Despite the hypothetical health risks of talc (such as stomach cancer),[8] talc-coated rice remains the norm in some countries due to its attractive shiny appearance, but it has been banned in some, and is no longer widely used in others (such as the United States). Even where talc is not used, glucose, starch, or other coatings may be used to improve the appearance of the grains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I've spent enough time in places where I need to rinse the rice (when you need to rinse it, it's obvious) that it's just a habit for me now. But I didn't used to rinse my rice many years ago when I was in the US and only cooking plain old white rice. I prefer my rice to be rinsed no matter what now, including enriched white rice, but I don't think it's a problem not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I think it depends on the rice. We always sort and rinse dried beans, but we never rinse rice. Of course, all this predates our days on Atkins. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I rinse mine. For white rice (regular knd) the enriched vitamins will be washed away. Try it and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I think rice is sometimes mixed with talcum powder. I remember from when I was a kid that bags of rice said the rice was coated in talc and should be rinsed before cooking. Even though the rice is no longer packaged that way my mother still rinses the rice. Hard to break a lifelong habit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I always rinse my rice. It seems my rice comes out better when it is rinsed first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymommy Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I always rinse. It's gets rid of possible talc and any other contamination or dirt. The rice turns out more fluffy too and the taste is "cleaner". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I don't any more. I haven't noticed a difference. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I have seen bugs crawling around in the bulk rice bins, even at the grocery store. Not creepy crawlies, just bugs that might have been transported with the grains. I rinse. Always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Well, the rice-eating people of the world soak and rinse their rice. Not just to remove dirt (we get it cleaned here in the West), but for the starch. It does make a difference and rice-connoisseurs can see the difference (and of course taste it). I am very picky about rice obviously. A great basmati rice can make me happy for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I remember those days, during childhood. I don't rinse rice, but I sort through it for broken bits of husk. Also check for bug bits if I have bought bulk rice from a bin. OT . . . Is an electric rice cooker limited to rice, only? May I use it for other grains? I'm thinking of barley and farro. Thanks, Hive! I think rice is sometimes mixed with talcum powder. Here's what it says on wiki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ipsey Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Well, the rice-eating people of the world soak and rinse their rice. Not just to remove dirt (we get it cleaned here in the West), but for the starch. It does make a difference and rice-connoisseurs can see the difference (and of course taste it). I am very picky about rice obviously. A great basmati rice can make me happy for a long time. My Asian side of the family insists on rinsing rice. And that's how I grew up doing it. I haven't stopped yet. Old habits, you know :) I don't know why we do it. Just do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 OT . . . Is an electric rice cooker limited to rice, only? May I use it for other grains? I'm thinking of barley and farro. Thanks, Hive! I have made quinoa in my rice cooker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennynd Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 my Mom always do (I am Chinese) and her Mom always did. So I do wash my rice. I don't even know why Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 If you use a rice cooker, unrinsed rice that was supposed to be rinsed can make a starchy bubbly mess. Lentils should be picked through on the theory that there might be debris such as small stones; I guess rinsing could take care of this if you swished it so that lighter things rose and heavier things sank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra in FL Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I'm Chinese and was taught to rinse (white) rice. Rinsing does remove the iron, vitamins, etc that it's enriched with. I don't normally rinse brown rice. If it looks cloudy or has things floating, then I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHowell Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 We rinse AND soak. Not sure what the reason is, but it is how I was taught. Rinse until water clears, then soak before cooking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalknot Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I'm Asian; we always rinse. Twice ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangearrow Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I first, freeze the rice. Learned that the hard way. :glare: And, rinse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 What is the best way to rinse rice? I have tried many methods but haven't found a great way yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.