Properly Rinse Rice
First and foremost, to cook delicious rice, you need to know how to rinse it properly. It is not about rinsing the rice multiple times that will make the rice taste better. When rinsing the rice, it is best to avoid vigorous rubbing as this will remove nutrients from the outer layer of the rice grains. Simply pour water into the pot and gently stir with your hand to remove any dirt.
You can rinse the rice twice and discard the water to ensure clean rice.
Soak Rice before Cooking
Most people have the habit of cooking rice right after rinsing. However, to make the rice tastier, you can soak it in water for about 10 minutes. This will help the rice grains absorb water beforehand. When cooking, the rice grains will expand evenly and become softer and sweeter.
Especially for those who like to mix white rice with brown rice, it is best to soak the brown rice for about 1-2 hours before cooking, otherwise the white rice will cook faster than the brown rice.
Add Ice Cubes to the Pot before Cooking
After rinsing the rice and pouring it into the pot, you can add 2-3 ice cubes and let it sit for about 15 minutes before starting the cooking process. The cold ice cubes will delay the rice’s water absorption time, resulting in a stickier texture.
Add Vinegar to the Rice Cooker
After rinsing the rice and adding water, you can add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the rice cooker. The vinegar will make the rice whiter, fluffier, and less sticky. The vinegar smell will evaporate when the rice starts boiling.
Add Cooking Oil to the Rice Cooker
When cooking rice, you can add a little cooking oil (or any type of oil you prefer, such as coconut oil or olive oil) to the pot and cook the rice until done. Thanks to the oil, the rice grains will become glossy, plump, and more appealing.
Note that you should not add oil after the rice is cooked as it will make the rice greasy and have an unpleasant smell.
Add Salt to the Rice Cooker
When cooking rice, you can add a few grains of white salt to enhance the flavor and prolong the freshness of the rice in hot weather.
When reheating cold rice, adding a little saltwater also helps make the rice flavorful and fragrant as if it were freshly cooked.
According to Khoevadep
