The Simple Rice Habit That Changes How Every Grain Cooks Up

(KMDL-FM) Many of the most famous dishes in Louisiana include rice. It's a staple of our diet, and it works as a great flavor transfer vehicle for gumbo, etouffee, jambalaya, and a host of other great Louisiana dishes. And we all know that the first step in making the rice for these dishes involves rinsing it, but why?

rice in bowl

Alright, there is certainly a hygienic aspect of rinsing and washing off all food that we should consider before consuming that food. But with rice, in addition to the cleaning of dirt, debris, and other foreign material, does the rinsing accomplish anything regarding our enjoyment of that rice when it's cooked and served?

Rinsing Your Rice Isn't Just About Making Sure It's Clean - Here's The Real Reason

The short answer to that question is yes. The rinsing process will play an important part in how your dish is not only presented but how your guests will go about the process of enjoying the food you've made.

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a spoon filled with rice on top of a table

White rice is milled. That means there is a layer of starch that has built up on the surface of each rice grain. Rinsing with fresh water removes this starch. The more you rinse, the more starch you remove. The more starch that is removed, the fluffier and less sticky your rice becomes.

You won't get the same effect with brown rice. Brown rice is just white rice with its outer layer still intact. The rinsing of brown rice is more for a hygienic benefit than a flavor or texture benefit.

How Much Time Should You Spend Rinsing Your Rice Before Cooking ?

As far as how long you should rinse your rice, there is no set timetable. But most of us will want to rinse the grains until the rinse water starts to run clear. That should be more than a few minutes. And don't worry, you can't over-rinse your rice. It will be fine whenever you think it's rinsed enough.

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Of course you could always let someone else do the cooking. Chances are, if they're in business and selling food in South Louisiana, then they know a thing or two about rice. And you might not even have to visit a restaurant to find them.