Tips

The Magic of Rice Water: Unlocking the Benefits for Food and Beyond

Introducing the versatile and often underrated powerhouse liquid - rice water! You're probably aware of its beauty benefits, but did you know it's a culinary game-changer too? Rice water can be used to reduce toxins in vegetables, temper the saltiness of dried fish, and neutralize the pungent odor of fish, all while enhancing the flavor of your favorite dishes. It's time to unlock the full potential of this humble liquid and elevate your culinary creations!

Administrator

22 July, 2024

Did you know that rice water has many benefits for your food, aside from being a great natural cleanser for your skin? Here are some interesting ways to use it in your kitchen:

1 Reduce Toxins from Vegetables

Worried about pesticide residues on your greens? Soak your vegetables in rice water for 30 minutes to help reduce toxins, and then rinse with clean water.

Benefits of rice water for vegetables

2 Reduce Saltiness of Dried Fish

Dried fish is often salted for preservation, but this can make it unpleasantly salty. Rinse the fish with rice water instead of plain water before cooking to reduce the saltiness, neutralize the fishy odor, and remove any dirt.

Reduce saltiness of dried fish

3 Remove Fishy Odor

Even after cleaning and rinsing, fish can still have a strong odor. Soak the fish in rice water or clean water for 15 minutes to neutralize the smell. Rinse with clean water afterward.

Remove fishy odor

4 Detoxify Bamboo Shoots

Bamboo shoots contain high levels of Cyanide, which can be toxic. To ensure the safety of your family, boil fresh bamboo shoots 2-3 times, and soak dried bamboo shoots in rice water for 2 days before boiling. Remember to change the rice water daily.

Detoxify bamboo shoots

5 Clean Snails

It’s challenging to thoroughly clean snails of mud and slime while they’re alive as they tightly close their shells. Soak them in rice water for 1-2 hours, and they will quickly release the slime and mud.

Clean snails

6 Remove Toxins from Cassava

The outer layer of cassava, also known as manioc or yuca, can contain harmful toxins. The best way to remove these toxins is to soak the peeled cassava in rice water.

Remove toxins from cassava

Rice water has multiple uses beyond skin care. Share your own tips and tricks with us if you have any interesting ones!

Frequently asked questions

Rice water is the starchy water left over after rice is soaked, or boiled. It is known to be rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making it a beneficial ingredient for hair, skin and even plants.

Rice water can help strengthen hair roots and improve hair elasticity, making it less prone to breakage. It also contains inositol, a carbohydrate that can penetrate the hair shaft and protect hair from the inside out, resulting in softer, shinier hair.

Rice water has long been used in Asian beauty routines for its skin-soothing and brightening properties. It can help improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of pores and even out skin tone.

Rice water can also be used as a natural fertilizer for plants, helping them grow stronger and healthier. It can also be added to pet food to provide additional nutrients.

For hair care, you can use rice water as a final rinse after shampooing, or spray it onto your hair and scalp and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing. For skin care, you can use rice water as a facial toner or add it to your bath water for a soothing and nourishing treat.