White Rice

Cooking white rice may seem like an easy task, but let’s be frank: there’s an art to getting it just right. Using too much water, you’re left with a mushy glob. Using too little water results in dry and hard rice. However, using the proper technique yields fluffy rice that is incredibly delicious. Perfectly cooked white rice is simple and requires no fancy equipment. Using a regular pot will get the job done. The best part? You only need a pot, water, uncooked rice, and a pinch of salt to create a bowl of fluffy rice.

For years, we used a rice cooker, but when we moved to a different country, our trusty appliance was left behind. Although we had intended to buy a new rice cooker, we needed to learn how to make rice on short notice.

White rice is one of the most widely consumed grains in the world and is considered a staple food in many cultures. While rice has earned a reputation as a convenient and simple dish, there are various types of rice, and each has its unique cooking method.

History of Rice

Rice, also known as Oryza sativa, is one of the most essential stable diets, feeding over half of the global population. When regular rice has been polished to remove its outer husk, bran, and germ, it is referred to as white rice.

Rice was first farmed in East Asia around 10,000 years ago. It then spread throughout Asia and became a necessity for numerous countries, including Korea, China, India, Japan, and those in Southeast Asia. Thereafter, rice cultivation expanded to the Middle East and Mediterranean regions via trade routes.

In ancient times, brown rice, which retains the bran and germ, was widely available. Then, the milling techniques were developed to produce white rice by polishing the deeper layers. Producing white rice allowed for a longer shelf life and also created a lighter, fluffier texture in the cooked rice. However, stripping away bran and germ also removed some of its nutrients, leading to thiamine deficiency (vitamin B1), such as beriberi in certain regions.

White rice gained significant popularity in Europe and America during the colonial era. Rice was imported from Asia and grown in the Southern United States and Brazil. Today, white rice is the most consumed form of rice worldwide, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and some parts of Africa.

Different types of White Rice

Long grain rice

Long-grain rice has a slender, long shape, measuring three to four times longer than its width. Basmati rice is a renowned variety of rice grown in India and Pakistan. It is ideal for pilafs and biryanis.

Jasmine rice originates from Thailand, boasting a fragrant aroma with a subtle sweetness. It is perfect for stir-fries, grilled meats, and Thai dishes.

Medium grain rice

Medium-grain rice is shorter and broader than long-grain rice. These types of rice are popular in Europe. Countries such as Spain and Italy consume a substantial amount of medium-grain rice in dishes like paella and risotto. For instance, Arborio rice has a high starch content; it is not suited for recipes such as Biryani or Pilaf as the rice would produce a sticky dish.

However, Arborio rice is perfect for its ability to absorb liquid. Therefore, it is ideal for creamy mushroom risotto. There is another popular medium-grain rice called Valencia rice, which is named after the city of Valencia in Spain. Many Spanish people enjoy eating this type of rice in Paellas.

Short Grain Rice

Short-grain rice is commonly found in Asia, particularly in countries such as South Korea, Japan, and China. These types of rice are ideal for sushi, kimbap, and rice cake dishes, such as Tteokbokki and Gungung Tteokbokki.

Do you need to rinse your rice?

Many people recommend washing the rice before cooking it. We’ve done that for years and still do, but we don’t wash the rice as aggressively as we used to. The rice we eat typically has very little starch; therefore, one would wash the rice until the water runs clear. However, the rice that we purchase is pre-washed and packaged, so it is relatively clean and free of starch. We rinse the rice two to three times. In the past, we would wash the rice several times.

So how do you tell if you should wash the rice? You will be able to tell by the amount of dust there is in the water when you rinse it out. If the water consistently runs clean when you wash the rice three times, then it is pretty clean.

Ingredients

White rice, water, pot, pinch of salt.

In this recipe, we’re using a long grain, white rice. You can apply the method of cooking rice to Jasmine rice, Basmati rice, American long-grain rice, Thai long grain rice (non-jasmine variety), Texmati rice which is a hybrid rice made with Basmati rice and American long-grain rice.

Choosing the right pot is also an important element to cooking rice. The best pots will have a bottom-heavy pan. Aluminium, stainless steel and copper is ideal. It is essential for the pot to have a medium-depth. However, this will depend on how much rice that you are cooking for a meal. A pot with a tight fitting lid will also help in the distribution of steam inside of the pot, therefore ensuring that the rice is properly cooked. Avoid thin aluminium pots or pots that are excessively deep.

Instructions

Add two of water to pot. Add one cup of rice. It will take approximately two minutes for the water to reach boiling point on medium high heat. Reduce the temperature to low and cover the pot with lid.

It will take about 12 to 15 minutes for the rice to be cooked. After the rice has cooked, let it rest for a few minutes. Fluff it up with a fork. The heat from the pot will reduce excess water.

How to Cook Rice in a Rice cooker?

Rice cookers have timers, you don’t have to watch your rice and can simply add the rice to the pot. The ratio is simple and same as above. Its one cup of white rice and two cups of water. Set the timer and let the rice cooker do its job. Once the rice is cooked, the rice cooker will automatically keep the rice warm.

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What to Serve with White Rice?

Long grain rice is ideal for Arabian stews and rice dishes. They are also preferred for Indian cuisines such as curries. If you are cooking curries, choose basmati or other types of long-grain rice’s. For Thai cuisine, opt for Jasmine rice. Consider serving alongside a Chicken Curry, Tom Yum Goong, Thai Green Curry, Bean Soup. For Asiatic foods such as Dakbokkeumtang, Bibimbap, Kimchi bokkeumbap, Kimchi jjigae, choose short-grain white rice.

How to Store White rice?

Store white rice grains in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It is advisable to avoid storing the rice near heated sources or humid environment. Use storage absorbers to prevent moisture in the container. One top tip is to add a few bay leaves to the rice container.

This step will prevent any potential pests from inhabiting the container. You can also store the white rice grains in freezer-safe packets in the fridge.

When it comes to cooked white rice, the rice needs to cool down properly. Once it reaches room temperature, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If you want to store the rice for a more extended period, you can freeze it for one to two months. Reheat the rice by removing it from the freezer and leaving it in the fridge. Add a splash of water and cook it on the stove, or heat it in the microwave.