Soaking rice before cooking it actually assimilates its nutritional qualities, meaning it helps the gastrointestinal tract better absorb vitamins and minerals from the rice, according to renowned Indian nutritionists. Soaked rice also cooks faster and produces a beautiful bloomed texture, allowing it to retain the aromatic elements of the rice.
Suggested amount of time to soak different rices:
*Unmilled or unhusked whole grain brown, black, red, wild or other unpolished rice: Soak 6-12 hours
*Polished brown rice: Soak 4-6 hours
*Thai sticky rice: Soak overnight
*Basmati, jasmine and sushi rice: Soak 15-30 minutes, unless the recipe specifically recommends otherwise
*Short grain starchy and glutinous rice (arborio): Don’t soak
*Ordinary polished white rice: Soak 0-15 minutes