Rice is the most commonly eaten staple food, but to ensure it is healthy, it must be washed carefully. But what if you can wash rice in a way that is both healthy and does not damage its nutritional value?
How to wash rice?
Rice is rich in essential nutrients for the human body and is one of the main staple foods for our people. When cooking rice, you must first wash it to remove the sand, dirt, and debris mixed in between the grains. However, if you don't wash it properly, the nutrients on the surface of the grains can be washed away along with the water. Experiments have shown that after one wash and rub in water, rice loses 4% of its protein, 10% of its fat, and 5% of its inorganic salts.
Therefore, you must pay attention to two points when washing rice: first, use cold water, not running water or hot water. Second, minimize the amount of water and the number of washes, just enough to remove the sand. Because rice contains vitamins and inorganic salts, these two substances are particularly soluble in water. If you wash the rice for too long and scrub it hard, all the nutrients on the surface will be lost. Moreover, the nutrients of rice are mainly on the surface, so excessive washing will cause nutrient loss.
In addition, another point to note is that the washed rice should be cooked as soon as possible. If soaked for too long, a nutrient in rice called riboflavin will be lost in large quantities.
How to choose high-quality rice?
There are many types of rice on the market. The most common are pearl rice and fragrant sticky rice. Of course, different varieties of rice have slightly different tastes and nutritional values, and the prices will also vary. Which rice to choose depends on your personal taste. However, even the same type of rice can be divided into inferior and superior quality. How can you choose healthy rice?
Look: First, check if the color of the rice grains is uniform, and if the color, size, and shape are consistent. This can help you determine if different varieties of rice have been mixed. Generally, rice with a crystal-clear appearance has a good starch structure and a better texture, while less transparent rice may have a stickier texture and higher moisture content.
Smell: Grab a handful of rice and smell it. New rice will have a natural fragrance of grain, while old rice that has been stored for a long time is prone to having a "rancid" smell.
Shake: Scoop up a handful of rice and let it fall slowly, checking for broken grains or underfilled kernels. If there are, it may be due to over-processing or poor quality rice.
Rice also has a shelf life. It is best to buy no more than a two-month supply at a time. If stored for too long, the taste and nutritional value will change.