Cooking Brown Rice

Rice is one of those grains, that is used worldwide and is the staple diet in many regions. While, white rice is commonly used in many parts of the word, in some regions, brown rice is consumed more. The basic difference between both these types of rice is in the method of processing. While brown rice is only partly milled or non-milled, further processing is necessary for white rice manufacturing. In case of brown rice, only the hull or the outermost layer is removed, but, white rice requires further processing, that causes some damage to its nutritional value. So, brown rice has been hailed as a nutritious and healthy choice, as compared to white rice. But, the cooking methods for brown rice differ from that of white rice. You may find it difficult to cook brown rice, even if you are an expert in cooking white rice perfectly.

On the Stove

Most people fail to come up with perfectly cooked brown rice, as they adopt the same methods of cooking, that are used for cooking white rice. You must know the right methods, so as to become successful in this task. Start with rinsing the rice, till the water becomes clear. Strain the rice and put it in a pot of boiling water. The water to rice ratio is a very important factor in cooking brown rice. You have to use 1.5 cups of water per cup of brown rice. So, if you are taking two cups of rice, then, three cups of water is required. Even though, you are adding the rice to boiling water, after adding the rice, it may take some time to boil again. So, boil the rice and water uncovered. Once it boils, put the lid and cook on low heat for another twenty minutes. In case of a lid with steam valve, make sure to close it, during this period. After twenty minutes, you have to turn off the heat and keep the pot uncovered for another ten to twenty minutes, before serving. If you keep longer, the rice may turn mushy.

In a Rice Cooker

Rice cooker is very widely used for cooking brown rice. If you want to use rice cooker for this task, then, the following tips can help you. Start with rinsing the rice, till the water becomes clear. Drain out the excess water by straining. Now, put the rice in the pot, along with water. For every cup of rice, 1.5 cups of water will be required. Now, wipe the outer side of the pot and place it inside the rice cooker. Cover the cooker and turn it on. Once the rice gets cooked, the cooker will emit beep sounds.

The most important point to remember is the amount of water, which can vary with the type of rice. For cooking short-grain brown rice, you require around 1.5 cups of water per one cup rice and for cooking long-grain brown rice, you need two cups of water for each cup of rice. However, once you start cooking brown rice, you will develop an idea regarding the water content for each type of rice. With time, you can also become an expert in cooking brown rice.