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Cleaning and Washing
Appears in
By Jyoti Pathak
Published 2023
Most commercially bagged rice, such as the supermarket varieties (in plastic, cloth, or burlap bags) has been cleaned and sorted, so there is rarely any need to pick through it. Be sure, however, to pick over imported rice or rice from open bulk containers for unhulled grains, stems, pebbles, or any tiny broken rice. To clean it, spread the rice on a large platter or a wide round wicker tray (or a naanglo, if available). Pick through a small portion at a time, and discard any foreign particles.
I always rinse rice thoroughly under cold running water before cooking to remove any floating husks or impurities that may have collected during milling and processing. To wash the rice, place it in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Gently rub the grains between your hands and remove anything that floats. Slowly pour the milky water out, holding back the grains with one hand. Repeat this process several times until the water runs clear.