After making rice water for your hair, don't throw the rice away! It's perfectly safe and nutritious to eat. In fact, consuming the rice allows your body to benefit from its nutrients, not just your hair.
Why Eat the Rice After Making Rice Water?
Dr. Khetarpal states there's no reason to discard the rice after extracting the water. The process of making rice water doesn't make the rice inedible. Eating it provides your body with additional nutritional benefits.
What to Do With the Cooked Rice?
The options are numerous, depending on how you cooked the rice and your preferences:
- Eat it as is: If the rice is still palatable, enjoy it as a simple side dish.
- Re-purpose it: Incorporate it into other dishes:
- Add it to soups or stews for extra texture and nutrition.
- Use it as a base for fried rice.
- Make rice pudding or other desserts.
- Create a rice salad with vegetables and dressing.
- Freeze it: If you have a large quantity, freeze the cooked rice for later use.
Can You Reuse the Rice?
While some sources mention reusing the rice water after a hair rinse, reusing the rice itself for a second batch of rice water is not recommended for hygiene reasons and will likely yield a significantly less potent solution. The best way to get the full benefits of rice water is to use fresh rice every time.
Important Considerations
- Rice type: The type of rice used will influence the final texture and taste. Different varieties are better suited for certain dishes.
- Cooking method: The cooking method you used will determine how the rice is best repurposed.
- Hygiene: Ensure proper hygiene if you intend to use any remaining rice for food.
