How to Cook Fluffy Rice Every Time

Edaku — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0300

Fluffy rice is one of those side dishes that seems simple until it turns into a sticky clump in the pot. The good news is that the result comes down to a handful of straightforward habits that are easy to remember and repeat every single time.

Why rice turns gummy

Rice sticks together mainly because of excess surface starch. Grains are coated in fine starch dust left over from milling, and if the rice goes into the pot unwashed, that starch dissolves into the cooking water and turns into a gluey film that binds the grains together. Too much water and overcooking make things worse — rice that’s cooked too long breaks down and turns mushy no matter how well it was rinsed beforehand.

Side Dishes on Edaku

How to Cook Fluffy Rice Every Time

Why rice turns gummy