Tips

The Ultimate Guide to Ice: A Woman’s Best Friend

Ice is not just for cooling drinks; it has a multitude of other uses too! Discover them all in this insightful article.

28 July, 2024

In a hot and humid climate like Vietnam’s, ice is undoubtedly essential. People are accustomed to using ice to chill drinks or in food preparation. Additionally, ice is used for various other purposes, such as:

1 Maintain Crispness in Food

After boiling vegetables such as broccoli, snow peas, or dragon beans, immerse them in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes before draining. This technique ensures the vegetables remain crisp and retain their vibrant colors. For raw vegetables intended for consumption, this method can also be applied to maintain crispness.

Furthermore, when boiling pork intestines, try soaking them in ice water to achieve a crispier and more delightful texture.

Maintain Crispness in Food

2 Absorb Grease from Dishes

When cooking, if you find that your soup, stew, or braised dish has excess fat, simply add a few ice cubes. The ice will attract and solidify the grease, which will then cling to the cubes. Promptly remove the ice cubes afterward.

3 Water Plants

When you’re short on time and can’t use a hose to water your potted plants, simply place a few ice cubes on the surface of the pot. Adjust the amount of ice according to the size of the plant—more for larger plants and fewer for smaller ones. As the ice melts, the water will naturally seep into the soil, allowing the plant roots to absorb it easily.

4 Cook Fluffier and Tastier Rice

This is one of the secrets to cooking fluffy and delicious rice, as practiced by Japanese homemakers. After rinsing the rice and adding water to the pot, drop in 2–3 ice cubes and let it sit for about 15–20 minutes before cooking.

The ice delays the rice’s absorption of water and increases its fluffiness. It also boosts the amino acid content and prevents the enzyme that breaks down the rice’s sweetness, resulting in a more flavorful cooked dish.

5 Eliminate Toilet Bowl Odors

If you’ve ever noticed, many restaurants and eateries drop ice cubes into urinals. The ice helps to rapidly evaporate the unpleasant odors from urine.

When ammonia in urine comes into contact with ice, it freezes and quickly evaporates. The urine also becomes diluted and swiftly drains away.

Frequently asked questions

The best way to ice a woman’s best friend, such as a ring or a nice piece of jewelry, is to use a gentle and careful approach. You’ll need a few simple tools and some practice to perfect the technique. The key is to work slowly and carefully, ensuring the ice forms a smooth and even layer over the item.

Distilled water is important as it is pure and free of any minerals or chemicals that could leave a residue on the jewelry. This ensures that the ice forms clearly and smoothly, and also prevents any potential damage to the jewelry item.

It is recommended to leave the jewelry in the freezer for at least 12 hours. This ensures that the water is completely frozen and the ice layer is strong and stable.

If you don’t have access to a freezer, you can use an ice bath. Simply fill a container with ice cubes and distilled water, and submerge the jewelry item. Leave it for a few hours, or until the water around the item has frozen solid.

To remove the ice, simply run lukewarm water over the item until the ice melts away. Ensure the water is not too hot, as this could damage certain types of jewelry. Gently pat the item dry with a soft cloth afterwards.

This method is generally safe for most types of jewelry, including rings, necklaces, and bracelets. However, it is always a good idea to check with a professional jeweler first, especially if your item is made of delicate materials or has intricate details.