Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
DysmalRadius · 07/08/2026 00:55

TheStepboardisfullofbitteroddos · 06/08/2026 21:08

What?! Why are you draining rice? Are you boiling it like pasta?

Honestly the idea that any adult is not washing rice is rather shocking. It's such a basic, like salting pasta water.

Show quote history

Boiling rice in plenty of water is supposed to be the best way to remove the arsenic. Pretty sure they came up with that shortly after I discovered the magic of microwave rice cookers. 🙄

Scampuss · 06/08/2026 23:33

Emiliana52 · 06/08/2026 21:31

You need to wash to get rid of the arsenic that’s used to preserve the rice in storage.

The arsenic in rice comes from the land it's grown on, it's not added later!

Original poster
Coldcoffeekindamorning · 06/08/2026 23:26

SadiraOfTyr · 06/08/2026 21:10

Out of interest do you wash flour before using it? Because if you had ever seen what goes on in a flour mill...

Show quote history

I've been gluten free for 20 years so I haven't eaten flour in my adult life!

OP posts:
Backedoffhackedoff · 06/08/2026 23:17

SourdoughSally · 06/08/2026 18:53

Sadly our water is full of microplastics too

Show quote history

I use a filter that removes a great deal of it. Not all, but it’s not possible to eliminate so all you can do is reduce.

Mingou · 06/08/2026 21:47

Emiliana52 · 06/08/2026 21:31

You need to wash to get rid of the arsenic that’s used to preserve the rice in storage.

Bullshit

SadiraOfTyr · 06/08/2026 21:45

Emiliana52 · 06/08/2026 21:31

You need to wash to get rid of the arsenic that’s used to preserve the rice in storage.

What a load of utter balderdash. Arborio rice is not preserved using arsenic. Honestly how do people come up with utter tripe like this?

Emiliana52 · 06/08/2026 21:31

You need to wash to get rid of the arsenic that’s used to preserve the rice in storage.

Radishcinnamon · 06/08/2026 21:22

I don’t rinse risotto rice but I do rinse basmati , otherwise it’s a bit clumpy. That’s because I use the method where I cook it until it’s absorbed all the water though. If you are a person that boils rice and then drains it, I imagine you wash the starch away that way too.
I love the dry type of rice where every grain is separated, and I do think for that you have to rinse lots, soak a bit, bring to boil and then simmer on a very low heat until dry.
Risotto however needs the gloopy starchy sauce imo.

SadiraOfTyr · 06/08/2026 21:17

TheStepboardisfullofbitteroddos · 06/08/2026 21:08

What?! Why are you draining rice? Are you boiling it like pasta?

Honestly the idea that any adult is not washing rice is rather shocking. It's such a basic, like salting pasta water.

Show quote history

My grandmother on my English side used to cook rice like this. You boil it in an excess of water, then drain it, then rinse it in hot water to stop the grains sticking, then return it to the pan and "fluff" it.

I think the whole "add the right amount of water in the first place and cook until the water is absorbed" only became the norm in the UK in the 80s.

SadiraOfTyr · 06/08/2026 21:10

Coldcoffeekindamorning · 06/08/2026 21:03

It's still gross!

Show quote history

Out of interest do you wash flour before using it? Because if you had ever seen what goes on in a flour mill...

TheStepboardisfullofbitteroddos · 06/08/2026 21:08

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.

What?! Why are you draining rice? Are you boiling it like pasta?

Honestly the idea that any adult is not washing rice is rather shocking. It's such a basic, like salting pasta water.

Original poster
Coldcoffeekindamorning · 06/08/2026 21:03

Erin1975 · 06/08/2026 20:12

And let's say you are right and there is some dirt in there. What part of that do you think will kill you after being boiled for 10 minutes in water, then drained?

Show quote history

It's still gross!

OP posts:
Hammy19 · 06/08/2026 20:46

If you wash risotto rice, you won't end up making risotto

Mingou · 06/08/2026 20:38

ThisOneLife · 06/08/2026 17:38

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

Show quote history

And the whole of Asia 🙄

NamelessNancy · 06/08/2026 20:37

Now I'm thinking about this... I wash basmati because I want separate fluffy grains. I don't wash risotto rice because I want it creamy. Why do I wash sushi rice if I want it sticky?! This might be the beginning of an existential crisis.

NamelessNancy · 06/08/2026 20:29

I usually wash basmati but occasionally don't bother if rushed or can't be arsed. I can confirm it is noticeably better washed.

Would never wash risotto or paella rice though.

WerewolfOfLoudon · 06/08/2026 20:26

Wouldn't wash risotto rice as such @Coldcoffeekindamorning but definitely a quick rinse.

My 82 yo grandmother washes rice @ThisOneLife she's never heard of MN.

MrsTerryPratchett · 06/08/2026 20:26

saltyseaswimmer · 06/08/2026 20:16

…but the rice absorbs the water. Or even if you’re cooking it in loads of water and draining it, a scummy layer would form on the rice.

If you wash rice by soaking and rinsing multiple times, you’ll never be able to eat it again without washing it - we get posh rice and it’s still filthy - so much gunk comes off.

Show quote history

I wash rice. Not risotto rice because as PP says a nonna will drop down dead. But all other rice. And it's not filthy. Pale white starch comes off not dirt.

ZenNudist · 06/08/2026 20:25

I wash and soak basmati rice otherwise it would be glued.

I don't often make risotto but obviously you aren't supposed to wash it.

ConfessionsOfAMumDramaQueen · 06/08/2026 20:22

I wash basmati, jasmine rice etc but never ever risotto rice!

All the recipes are to add it dry to a pan and toast it in the oil a bit before adding the liquid. Thats not going to work if the rice is already wet.

WerewolfOfLoudon · 06/08/2026 20:21

Coldcoffeekindamorning · 06/08/2026 20:08

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

Show quote history

Or any chef.

notacooldad · 06/08/2026 20:19

*I’ve never washed rice in my life.
You and I both.
Add to the list of things that only exist on here 🤦‍♀️

Well I've been washing rice for many decades, long before Mn existed, not all rice though and never risotto rice.

Jc2001 · 06/08/2026 20:17

Nincompoo · 06/08/2026 17:31

I’ve never washed rice in my life.

Exactly, just buy the right type of rice if you don't want it sticky.

saltyseaswimmer · 06/08/2026 20:16

Erin1975 · 06/08/2026 20:09

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

Show quote history

…but the rice absorbs the water. Or even if you’re cooking it in loads of water and draining it, a scummy layer would form on the rice.

If you wash rice by soaking and rinsing multiple times, you’ll never be able to eat it again without washing it - we get posh rice and it’s still filthy - so much gunk comes off.

Erin1975 · 06/08/2026 20:13

Coldcoffeekindamorning · 06/08/2026 20:08

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

Show quote history

Yes but they are doing it to get rid of the starch. When you make a risotto you need the starch tonget the correct texture

Swipe left for the next trending thread