Brown rice will take 45 minutes to fully cook if the recommended water to rice ratio is used, i.e., 2 cups for 1 cup of brown rice. Brown rice grains have a nutrient-rich hard outer shell (the bran layer removed for white rice). This requires more time and effort to cook.
Storing brown rice
Brown rice that hasn’t been cooked can be stored in the pantry, but it should be used soon after purchase. Brown rice can stay fresher for longer if it is kept in the refrigerator if you don’t use it regularly for cooking. Transfer your rice to an airtight container for storage if you have an open bag of rice or if you purchased it in a bulk bin.
Rinse and toast for better brown rice
Before cooking, rinse your rice to remove any grit or dust that could have gotten incorporated during processing. Additionally, I believe that rinsing enhances the rice’s texture. It’s not as important as washing white rice, but it helps separate the grains.
The texture of the rice won’t change if it is toasted, but the flavor of the rice will become more intensely toasted and nutty. Before adding the water, sauté the rice in a little olive oil and stir until it smells fragrant and has a hint of golden color here and there.
This step is optional, but you could discover that you prefer brown rice after toasting if the earthy flavor of brown rice has previously kept you from eating it.
How to cook the best brown rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice (either short, medium, or long grain, as long as it’s not the quick-cooking kind)
- 6 cups of water
- Soy sauce, salt, or other preferred ingredients to taste.
Instructions
- Use at least 6 cups of water for every cup of rice while bringing a big pot of water to a boil. To get rid of extra starch, rinse the rice in a colander with a fine mesh under running water.
- Rice should be added to the boiling water. To prevent overflow, adjust the temperature as required but keep the boil constant. Boil for 30 minutes, uncovered.
- Return the rice to the pot after draining the leftover cooking liquid. For ten minutes, turn off the heat and cover the saucepan while the rice rests. After fluffing, season to taste and serve.
Is brown rice healthier?
Why would you want to eat white rice when brown rice cooks so much faster? It appears that brown rice offers a wealth of nutritional benefits. Because it has undergone less processing than white rice, brown rice has a remarkable amount of vitamins, minerals, and healthy compounds.
The hull, bran, and germ are all removed from white rice. However, the hull is taken off brown rice, which retains the nutrient-rich bran and germ. As a consequence, brown rice keeps the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that white rice loses. White rice has less fiber than brown rice.
Types of brown rice
1. Medium grain brown rice
Comparing this rice grain to the regular small variety reveals that it is bigger and more rounded in appearance. This particular brown rice type gets moist and soft after cooking.
Brown rice with a medium grain goes well with soups and salads. Cooking time for this type of brown rice is usually between 15 and 20 minutes.
2. Short grain type of brown rice
Short grain is one type of brown rice with a sticky feel after cooking. Although even if you soak the rice overnight, it still has to be cooked for 25 minutes.
Brown rice with short grains pairs nicely with sambar and dal. Additionally, eating brown rice can significantly help you lose weight.
3. Light brown colored brown rice
It is called light brown rice due to the milling process that removes half of the bran from this type of brown rice. As a result, this rice has a light brown appearance and a nutty flavor when cooked.
This rice has less fiber than short and medium-grain brown rice. The cooking time for light brown rice is only 20 minutes.
You should practice eating organic foods daily since they follow the guidelines for nutritious meals in other countries. Because organic farming embraces environmentally friendly cultivation practices, it protects the environment.
4. Long brown rice
This type of brown rice has a golden brown color and resembles basmati rice in several ways.
It is often used in many different meals all around the world and has a flavor that is comparable to light brown rice. The cooking time for this type of rice is at least 45 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Does cooking brown rice take longer?
Nope. You must plan for the fact that it just takes longer. However, you can also cook it in larger quantities and store it for later.
How do you freeze cooked brown rice?
Put it in zipper-top freezer-safe bags. Put them in containers you will probably want to defrost in the upcoming months. Seal the bag after pressing all the air out of it. It will remain frozen for at least four months and maybe six.
Editorial Staff
Our writers, editors, content managers, and SEO specialist. We all take part in crafting amazing articles. We spend hours ensuring that each article is based on facts, researched, and thorough. You'll never want to click the back button to look for more answers other than here!