4 Benefits of Soaking White Rice Before Cooking

You might be used to simply washing white rice a few times and tossing it straight into the rice cooker or pot. But did you know that soaking rice before cooking brings many benefits? Not only does it enhance the taste, but there are several other reasons why you should give this habit a try. Let’s break it down!  

Why Should You Soak White Rice?

Here are the key benefits of soaking white rice before cooking:
 
1. Reduces Arsenic Content

White rice naturally contains small amounts of arsenic, especially if grown in areas with heavy metal-contaminated soil. While not immediately dangerous in small amounts, long-term exposure can be harmful, especially for children and pregnant women.
 
Soaking rice before cooking helps reduce arsenic levels. Since arsenic dissolves in water, it can leach out of the rice during soaking. Just discard the soaking water and rinse the rice once more before cooking for extra cleanliness.
 
 
2. Improves Rice Texture
 
If you're aiming for fluffier, perfectly cooked rice, soaking is key! When white rice is soaked, the grains absorb water beforehand, which helps them expand more evenly during cooking.
 
This results in a softer, more consistent texture—with no more hard or overly mushy spots. Soaked rice cooks more uniformly, making your meals more enjoyable.
 
 
3. Easier to Digest
 
Soaking rice isn’t just about taste—it’s also good for your health. Soaking begins to break down the starch in rice, making it lighter and easier to digest.
 
For people with digestive issues like gastritis or IBS, pre-soaked rice can be gentler on the stomach. Soaking also helps reduce anti-nutrients like phytic acid, which can block the absorption of essential minerals like iron and zinc.
 
 
4. Reduces Cooking Time
 
Soaking rice can also save cooking time. Because the grains have already absorbed some water, they cook faster than unsoaked rice.
 
For example, if it normally takes you 20–25 minutes to cook rice in a rice cooker, soaked rice may be done in just 15–20 minutes. That means less energy, less waiting, and more convenience—especially when you're in a rush.
 
 

How to Soak White Rice Properly

Interested in the benefits? Here’s how to soak your rice the right way:
 
1. Recommended Soaking Time
 
Different types of rice need different soaking times.
 

• Standard white rice: Soak for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• Premium rice: Soak for 15–30 minutes.
• Harder rice varieties like basmati: Soak for 4–8 hours.

 
2. Water-to-Rice Ratio
 
Use the correct ratio for best results. A simple rule: soak rice in 2–3 times the amount of water. For example, for 1 cup of rice, use 2–3 cups of water.
 
Once soaked, drain the water and rinse briefly before cooking. If you’re using a rice cooker, reduce the water by 10–15% compared to your usual measurement, since the rice has already absorbed some water during soaking.
 

Choose the Right Rice for Best Results

 
Soaking white rice improves both texture and nutrition—but results are even better when you use high-quality rice. One top choice is Beras Maknyuss, made without artificial fragrance, preservatives, or bleach.
 
Beras Maknyuss is processed using modern technology and packed immediately to lock in freshness. That means your rice turns out soft, fragrant, and naturally delicious every time.
 
Get Beras Maknyuss today from your nearest rice agent, supermarket, or official Maknyuss partner and turn every meal into something special!