Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wash risotto rice?

52 replies

Coldcoffeekindamorning · 06/08/2026 17:00

I always was basmati rice and soak it before cooking it and it made me think...should you was risotto rice?!?!?!

OP posts:
Rufusisturnedon · 06/08/2026 17:01

Surely the point of washing is to remove starch. The point of risotto rice is that you need the starch for the outcome ?

AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds · 06/08/2026 17:02

no - don't wash risotto rice. Its the starch that makes it oozy.

Backedoffhackedoff · 06/08/2026 17:03

Washing all types of rice can apparently get rid of a huge amount of the microplastics and it’s one of the few foods you can “wash them
off” of so I’m washing everything now

SadiraOfTyr · 06/08/2026 17:03

No. You want it to go gluey. That’s the whole point.

afaloren · 06/08/2026 17:29

No, you want the starch unlike with basmati.

CurlewKate · 06/08/2026 17:31

Not if you want to make risotto with it!!

Nincompoo · 06/08/2026 17:31

I’ve never washed rice in my life.

TonTonMacoute · 06/08/2026 17:35

Rufusisturnedon · 06/08/2026 17:01

Surely the point of washing is to remove starch. The point of risotto rice is that you need the starch for the outcome ?

This.

TheChosenTwo · 06/08/2026 17:36

I soak and rinse basmati rice but risotto rice goes straight into the pan!

ThisOneLife · 06/08/2026 17:38

Nincompoo · 06/08/2026 17:31

I’ve never washed rice in my life.

You and I both.
Add to the list of things that only exist on here 🤦‍♀️

Backedoffhackedoff · 06/08/2026 17:42

ThisOneLife · 06/08/2026 17:38

You and I both.
Add to the list of things that only exist on here 🤦‍♀️

Well you could add it to your list of “things that only exist on Mn and the continent of Asia” 🤣

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 17:43

Backedoffhackedoff · 06/08/2026 17:42

Well you could add it to your list of “things that only exist on Mn and the continent of Asia” 🤣

And Africa

Sminty2 · 06/08/2026 18:48

I always soak and wash (rinsing three times) my sushi rice, and Basmati but I have never washed Arborio rice.

Erin1975 · 06/08/2026 18:50

Nooooooo. You wash Basmati and other forms if rice to get rid of the starch. You want the starch in a risotto. It makes the texture.

SourdoughSally · 06/08/2026 18:53

Backedoffhackedoff · 06/08/2026 17:03

Washing all types of rice can apparently get rid of a huge amount of the microplastics and it’s one of the few foods you can “wash them
off” of so I’m washing everything now

Sadly our water is full of microplastics too

Snorlaxo · 06/08/2026 18:59

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 17:43

And Africa

I imagine that South America probably do too.

i wouldn’t wash rice for paella as well as risotto because you want it stickier.

Topseyt123 · 06/08/2026 19:05

I've never washed rice before cooking in my life. I have occasionally been known to pour a kettle of boiling water over it in the colander AFTER it has been cooked and drained. That still seems to get rid of most of the starch. Not for risotto rice though.

Shloopie · 06/08/2026 19:12

Every time you wash risotto rice a nonna dies. Plops down dead in her kitchen.

PistachioTiramisu · 06/08/2026 19:15

Ugh - I hate sticky rice. My mother always taught me to wash rice before boiling - once it has absorbed all the water, rinse it in cold water and then put in a dish to heat through in the oven, with a little butter on top - It's the only way I will eat rice.

Watercoloursky · 06/08/2026 19:16

I wash sushi rice but have never washed basmati or arborio. I eat basmati most often, might try washing it next time to see if I can taste the difference!

Violinist64 · 06/08/2026 19:31

It's important to wash rice before cooking, not only to get rid of the starch but because rice is easy for mice and rats to get into while it is being stored before being sold in the shops. This is what I was told by someone from the Far East.

DysmalRadius · 06/08/2026 19:36

I started washing mine to reduce the arsenic in it, then discovered that a) rinsing doesn't help as much as first thought and b) we all prefer it washed anyway, so now I rinse it and worry about arsenic while I do so! 🤦🏻

Coldcoffeekindamorning · 06/08/2026 20:06

Watercoloursky · 06/08/2026 19:16

I wash sushi rice but have never washed basmati or arborio. I eat basmati most often, might try washing it next time to see if I can taste the difference!

Wash and rinse in 4-5 times and then soak in clean water for 10-30 mins. You will notice the difference!

OP posts:
Coldcoffeekindamorning · 06/08/2026 20:08

ThisOneLife · 06/08/2026 17:38

You and I both.
Add to the list of things that only exist on here 🤦‍♀️

70% of the world wash rice. Tell any Asian that you don't wash rice and see them vomit a little in their mouth!

OP posts:
Erin1975 · 06/08/2026 20:09

Violinist64 · 06/08/2026 19:31

It's important to wash rice before cooking, not only to get rid of the starch but because rice is easy for mice and rats to get into while it is being stored before being sold in the shops. This is what I was told by someone from the Far East.

You are being paranoid about a problem that doesn't exist. Think about it, you are boiling the rice for 10+ minutes.