Washing rice is an indispensable step when cooking rice. Many people believe that washing rice before cooking can reduce the amount of starch in the rice. This is not entirely true. Because when washing rice, the water will be milky white. Research shows that it is free starch, also known as amylose, that sticks to the surface of the rice grain. This amount of starch is formed during the milling process to separate the husk from the rice grain, according to the news site The Conversation (Australia).
Washing rice helps wash away dirt, husks, and insects.
A recently published study by Beijing University of Business and Technology (China) compared the benefits of rinsing rice after cooking between three types of rice: glutinous rice, medium-grain white rice, and fragrant rice. Each type of rice was divided into three groups: unrinsed, rinsed three times, and rinsed 10 times.
Research shows that whether or not rice is washed does not affect the stickiness and elasticity of cooked rice. Because the stickiness and elasticity of rice does not depend on surface starch but on another form of starch called amylopectin. They will form during the cooking process.
However, the research team found that washing rice multiple times is still essential. Washing rice not only helps to wash away dirt and remaining husks, but also insects and many other impurities. This is especially important when the rice milling and processing process in some places is not really meticulous.
Not only that, washing rice also helps to effectively wash away the amount of microplastic particles in rice. Research shows that regardless of the type of plastic packaging, a certain amount of microplastic particles are left in rice. Washing rice can help reduce the amount of microplastic particles in rice by up to 40%.
However, rinsing rice will not reduce the amount of bacteria in rice. These bacteria will be destroyed during the cooking process, according to The Conversation .
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