Should you wash rice before cooking? A debate that’s stirred social media

Rice, a staple food for billions of people around the world, is deceptively simple yet steeped in tradition and cultural practices. One of the most heated debates about rice preparation in recent years centers on a single question: Should you wash rice before cooking it? This seemingly minor detail has sparked viral debates on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, with opinions often dividing along cultural lines.

Why wash rice? A tradition rooted in practice
In Asian cultures, washing rice is second nature -- an essential step passed down through generations. From India to Japan, Thailand to China, the practice is ingrained in how families prepare rice daily. Washing rice serves multiple purposes:

Removes excess starch
Washing ensures the grains are fluffy and separated, avoiding the sticky clumps that unwashed rice often produces.

Cleans dirt and impurities
Rice is typically stored and transported in bulk, where it can collect dust, dirt, and even small debris. Washing guarantees a clean, fresh product.

Improves texture
Properly washed rice enhances the final texture, particularly in dishes like biryani, fried rice, or sushi.

In many Asian households, washing rice is almost ritualistic. The water is swirled until clear—an indication that excess starch and impurities have been removed. In India, where rice is a staple alongside flatbreads, failing to wash rice can even be seen as an affront to tradition.

The rice debate
The debate came to a boil on social media when videos of Western cooks skipping the washing step started going viral. In these clips, rice is measured straight from the bag, poured into a pot, and cooked without a second thought.

For many Asian viewers, these videos were nothing short of sacrilege. Comment sections exploded with incredulous reactions, with users declaring that cooking unwashed rice is “unhygienic” or “lazy.” Indian users, in particular, expressed their dismay with comments like, “My ancestors are crying,” or simply, “The ick!”

Western cooks, on the other hand, often defended their methods, citing convenience or the fact that many commercially processed rice varieties are pre-cleaned. Some even argued that skipping the rinse preserves nutrients in fortified rice, like iron and folic acid, which can wash away with repeated rinsing.

When washing is necessary
Despite the cultural debate, there are clear culinary and practical reasons to wash rice:

Traditional Asian dishes
For recipes like biryani, fried rice, or sushi, washing is critical for achieving the right texture. Sticky rice will ruin the fluffy grains needed in a dish like biryani, while excess starch can make sushi rice too gluey.

Unpolished or bulk rice
Many rice varieties sold in bulk or directly from local markets (common in India and Southeast Asia) need thorough washing to remove dirt and debris.

Long-grain rice
For varieties like basmati or jasmine, washing ensures separate, light grains—a hallmark of well-cooked rice.

When washing isn’t necessary
There are, however, valid reasons to skip the rinse:

Fortified rice
Many types of enriched rice in Western markets have a coating of nutrients that can wash off if rinsed. Check the label to see if it’s pre-treated.

Creamy dishes
In dishes like risotto, paella, or rice pudding, surface starch contributes to the creamy texture. Washing removes this starch, undermining the dish.

Pre-washed rice
Some brands market “no-rinse” rice, which is pre-cleaned during processing.

To wash or not to wash?
Ultimately, whether you wash your rice depends on the dish, the type of rice, and your personal preferences. However, it’s undeniable that skipping this step can feel like cultural heresy to many Asians, particularly Indians, who view washing rice as fundamental to the cooking process.

What about you? Do you wash your rice before cooking, or do you embrace the "no-rinse" method? Let the debate continue!