What is so special about basmati rice?

Chef's answer
Uniquely, the Basmati grain expands more than twice its dry length during cooking. Unlike other types of rice the grains only expand lengthways resulting in the grains retaining their long slender characteristic when cooked.
Frequently asked Questions 🎓
Ingredients
  • 2 cups basmati rice.
  • 3 cups water.
  • Salt (to taste)
  • .
    For simplicity's sake, start with 1.5 cups of water for one cup of dry long grain white (Basmati or Jasmine) rice. If you need to make a larger quantity, reduce the water ratio a bit closer to equal parts. ... Remember you more than double your rice volume, so don't cook a full cup of rice per person!.
    Basmati rice is very different from East Asian varieties. It has much less starch. Starch is basically a sponge that absorbs water, so the rice is going to act very different when cooked in water. ... Another reason your rice may come out wet and mushy even following this recipe could just be from variations in your pan.
    Uniquely, the Basmati grain expands more than twice its dry length during cooking. Unlike other types of rice the grains only expand lengthways resulting in the grains retaining their long slender characteristic when cooked.
    If a pot of basmati rice is a sticky mess, it's usually because, like pasta, it was cooked with too little water. To unstick it, dump the rice into a larger saucepan, add about a 1/2 of water and heat on low. Gently break up the clumps with a fork.
    What Is the Best Basmati Rice to Water Ratio? One cup basmati rice needs one and a half cups water..
    Does rice go off?
  • It has a strange smell. If your rice smells a bit funky and sour, that may be a sign that bacteria is already growing in your leftovers, so it's best to throw it out.
  • Your rice is dry, crumbly, and tough. ...
  • The rice is slimy.
  • A few more cooking questions 📍