Rinsing rice: yes or no? Many people think you should, possibly to remove any traces of arsenic. But there are plenty of people who think you shouldn’t, to avoid losing nutrients. In fact, the decision depends on the dish you’re making.
Some dishes, like risotto or rice stew, need the grains of rice to stick together to create a creamy texture. And, as well as a skilled cook, this also calls for starch. Rising rice before making a risotto is a bad idea, as you’ll need as much starch as possible.
On the other hand, if you’re making paella, rice salad or any other dish that calls for loose, al dente grains of rice, rinsing it beforehand is an excellent idea. In fact, make sure you rinse it through a couple of times.
