Why do you wash rice before cooking it?

You wash rice before cooking it for several reasons:

* To remove excess starch: Rice has a lot of starch on its surface. This starch can make the rice sticky and clumpy when cooked. Washing the rice helps remove this excess starch, resulting in fluffier, less sticky rice.

* To remove impurities: Rice can contain dirt, dust, and other debris from the fields or processing plants. Washing helps get rid of these impurities, ensuring you're eating clean rice.

* To improve flavor: Washing removes any off-flavors or odors that might be present in the rice. This helps preserve the natural flavor of the rice.

* To activate the starches: Some argue that washing rice helps activate the starches, leading to a more flavorful and better texture. However, this is not scientifically proven.

Important note: Don't wash rice for too long or too vigorously. Excessive washing can remove essential nutrients from the rice. A gentle rinse with cool water for a few seconds is usually sufficient.