Uncooked Rice and Cooked Rice, Which Is Better and Why?

Do you ever wonder which is better between uncooked rice and cooked rice? We’ll find out the best and why in this brand new post.

Rice Facts

Rice as a grain is a part of the grass family and is one of the very popular staple food grown and consumed across Europe, Asia, Africa and other parts of the world. There are different colors of rice from white rice to brown, black, red and even purple rice.

One factor that determines the color of rice depends on its processing and state. Most times when reference is made to rice without specifying the type then it should be white rich.

Rice also offers one a rich source of carbohydrate and so from a half cup of rice it is possible to get as much as 100 calories needed for your daily calorie intake.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, UN) indicates that rice though does not give all the mineral nutrients and vitamins the body needs but manufacturers process rice to include the required vitamins and minerals. So from a half cup of rice, you can get amino, aspartic and glutamic acids, thiamine, niacin, energy, thiamine, etc.

However, do you know that rice could be eaten raw or cook? Yes, I’m sure this sounds strange or should I say absurd to you but it’s true; some people do eat uncooked rice for a number of reasons.

So, let’s take a look at this phenomenon, the pros, and cons and how you too can enjoy a wonderful meal of uncooked rice! Keep reading!

Uncooked Rice vs Cooked Rice

Uncooked Rice

Uncooked rice can be compared to raw rice and and its temperature should be less than 116 degrees Fahrenheit. It is the processing level that determines the color of the rice whether the grains are white or brown. Once the rice has been milled it loses a part or all of its outer bran and husk.

For white rice, the husk has been removed and then the rice manufacturers polish grains to give them the whitish appearance. Like the Basmati white rice and the jasmine brown rice.

Cooked Rice

There are varied methods for preparing rice but mostly involves boiling, pressure cooking, steamed, microwaved or baking to make the rice tender enough for consumption. You have the long-grain, medium or short-grain rice.

The long-grain rice remains fluffy and separate after cooking while the other two becomes moist or sticky. Rice takes different texture and taste once cooked, parboiled, frozen or pre-cooked.

Best Way to Cook Rice

To prepare rice using electric rice cooker you can make use of the medium or short grain rice which could be sticky, Korean or Sushi rice.

Tip:

When preparing white rice with rice cooker I recommend using ratio one to one. Meaning, you take one part of water to one part of rice or one cup of rice of 240 ml to one cup of water, though there might be slight differences with the brand.

Procedure

• Measure the quantity of rice you intend preparing. Usually, one cup of rice should serve two persons so the number of persons would determine the number of cups you should prepare.
• Place the cup of rice in a bowl containing cold water, wash gently twice and drain the water out.
• Add the correct rice to water ratio and place into the rice cooker and select the appropriate option. Allow the rice to stay cooking for about 10 minutes after the indicator light turns on to show it’s cook.
• Once opened, flip the rice gently using a spatula and then serve into a rice bowl ready for consumption.

Prepare Uncooked Rice

A food should be about 116 degrees Fahrenheit or less to be regarded as raw food. The truth is rice cannot be eaten entirely in its hard state. So, the first step is to ensure one sprout the rice first.

Unfortunately, you cannot sprout white or wild rice only short or medium brown rice by using the cloth or jar method to sprout them. Germinated brown rice is the best and the healthiest option.

Sprouting Rice Using the Jar Method

To sprout rice usually takes about a whole day activity however, you can prepare it ahead on your next rice recipe.

Procedure

• Measure the amount of required rice and soak in a lid-tight jar with enough water for 14-18 hours. You then drain and rinse the rice afterward.
• Position the jar with rice at 45 degrees to drain but out of contact with sunlight.
• After it drains fully you rinse the rice again and allow rice to drain again. You can do this about 3 times to complete the sprouting process.

Sprouting Rice using the Cloth Method

• Measure the rice into a bowl and soak for 14 to 18 hours, drain, rinse.
• Place a washcloth that’s 100% cotton in a flat bowl and then spread the rice on top.
• Cover the rice with another wet all cotton washcloth.
• Keep applying water on the washcloth to keep it wet as this whole process might take a whole day.

Pros and Cons of Uncooked Rice

Pros

• Eating whole grain rice after sprouting increases the nutritional value.
• Eating raw foods offers one healthier food options, especially with plant-based foods like rice.
• Raw foods contain a lot of vitamins that help protect the cells and fight free radicals.

Cons

• Eating uncooked rice could upset one’s stomach due to the presence of chemicals like cellulose and Bacillus cereus which could be harmful and cause indigestion, vomiting, diarrhoea and nausea.
• The presence of bacteria on the skin of the rice could result in gastrointestinal problems.
• Raw rice could be tasteless, hard and difficult to chew.

Pros and Cons of Cooked Rice

Pros

• Cooked rice gives you an opportunity to make a variety of meals.
• Cooking makes rice easier to digest
• You can combine different other edibles both raw and cooked with cooked rice, such as salad and dressing, etc.
• Cooked rice tastes and looks more appealing.
• It offers an equally high amount of nutritional values.

Cons

• Tend to lose some of its nutrients due to heating
• Increase consumption
• Increases chances of higher blood sugar due to carbohydrate and starchy foods.

Examples of Uncooked Rice Meals

• Wild rice salad with summer vegetables
• Casserole and rice meal

The Verdict

Eating rice in an uncooked or cooked form offers great benefits for proponents of both especially for dietitians or vegans and others. However, eating rice uncooked still does not show enough reasons to make it more preferable to eating it cooked.

Rather the risk associated with eating uncooked rice is still, for now, higher than the benefits it offers. There are a wide variety of ways to make even cooked rice richer and more appealing by including raw vegetables and more than eating them uncooked.

Besides, a good volume of the uncooked rice has gone through processes that do not make them actually raw but par-cooked. If the attraction is a more healthy form of rice, then eating other shades of rice such as the wild rice, brown, red rice or black rice besides the white rice can offer one all the nutritional benefits desired.

Order now the best rice cooker just right for you today and enjoy your meal conveniently and with ease.