Adding Only Water When Cooking Rice Is a Big Mistake – Here’s the Secret Hotels Use
Many people think that cooking rice is as simple as adding water and letting it boil, but if you’ve ever wondered why rice at hotels or restaurants tastes so much better, the truth is in the little secret they add to the pot. Hotels never rely on plain water alone; instead, they use simple but powerful tricks to bring out the rich, fluffy, and fragrant rice that keeps guests coming back for more.
1. Use Stock Instead of Water
One of the main secrets is replacing water with chicken, beef, or vegetable stock. This simple switch instantly adds flavor, depth, and aroma to the rice. Every grain absorbs the goodness of the stock, making even plain rice taste like a delicious dish on its own.
2. Add a Spoon of Oil or Butter
Hotels often drizzle a little oil or melt butter into the pot before or during cooking. This prevents the grains from sticking together and gives the rice a shiny, appetizing look. Butter, in particular, adds richness and a mouthwatering aroma.
3. Enhance with Whole Spices
Instead of cooking with only water, hotels drop in whole spices like bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, or cardamom. These spices infuse the rice with a delicate fragrance, turning it into a dish that feels luxurious without much effort.
4. Salt at the Right Time
Plain water often leads to bland rice if salt is forgotten. Hotels always season the water or stock before boiling, ensuring the flavor is locked into each grain. Adding salt after cooking never gives the same effect.
5. The Fluffing Technique
Hotels don’t stop at cooking; they fluff the rice gently with a fork after resting it for a few minutes. This separates the grains perfectly and makes the rice light, fluffy, and restaurant-worthy.
Final Thought
Cooking rice with only water may fill the stomach, but cooking rice with these simple hotel secrets fills the heart. By adding stock, butter or oil, spices, and the right touch of seasoning, you can turn ordinary rice into a dish that tastes as if it came straight from a five-star kitchen.
