Bengalis cannot do without rice. Whether with fish curry, dal, bharta or meat, rice has a special place. But many people run into a problem when cooking it: even with the water and heat right, the rice does not come out fluffy, and the grains stick together and turn soft.

Many think fluffy rice is only a matter of getting the water and heat right. In fact a small step before cooking can have a big effect on the texture of the rice, and that step is washing it.

There is no need to scrub the rice hard when washing it. Generally, wash it gently 3 to 4 times. The first time the water will look quite cloudy; with the next few washes the cloudiness will fade.

Excess starch on the surface of the rice can make it stickier during cooking. Washing the rice a few times to remove some of the excess starch and dirt will help keep the grains separate.

One thing is important, though: do not rub or scrub the rice hard in the pot, as the grains can break. Instead, stir it gently by hand in clean water and pour the water off. Washing it 3-4 times this way is enough.

After washing, you can soak the rice in clean water for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. The rice absorbs water and swells a little, which helps it cook more evenly, giving the grains a better chance of staying separate.

No. There is no basis for the idea that the more rice is washed, the fluffier it will be. Over-washing or soaking for a long time can cause the loss of some water-soluble nutrients in the rice, so there is no need to scrub it again and again in the name of cleaning.

These washing rules are worth following for fluffy rice, but the type of rice, the amount of water and the cooking method also play an important part in the final texture. Getting these small habits right can make everyday rice fluffier and nicer. The report drew on America's Test Kitchen and NDTV Food.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.