Add These Two Ingredients When Cooking Rice — The Result Will Surprise You!
When cooking rice, besides adding water, you can include a few special ingredients to make it more fragrant and flavorful.

Rinse the rice properly
Rinsing rice is an important step. You should wash it gently to remove dust and impurities on the surface. Avoid over-washing, as it can wash away nutrients from the outer layer of the grains.

Over-rinsing not only reduces nutrition but also lessens the rice’s aroma and makes the grains more likely to break. It’s best to rinse just 1–2 times and do it lightly.

After rinsing, you can soak the rice in warm water for about 5 minutes so the grains absorb moisture. This helps the rice cook faster and become softer and fluffier. However, don’t soak ordinary rice for too long, as it can turn mushy when cooked.

Add special ingredients
When cooking, it’s better to use hot water. The high temperature helps the outer layer of rice contract quickly, locking in nutrients.

You can also add a few drops of cooking oil and white vinegar. These two ingredients make the rice whiter, more fragrant, and give the grains a shiny, plump appearance. Lemon juice can be used instead of vinegar with similar results. The vinegar or lemon juice evaporates during cooking, so it won’t make the rice sour or give it an odd smell.

Avoid using strong-smelling oils like peanut or corn oil. Coconut oil, sesame oil, or chicken fat are better options — just use a small amount, not too much.

To make your rice even more aromatic, you can add a pandan leaf while cooking.

Don’t stir the rice immediately after cooking
Once the rice is done, don’t open the lid right away. Let it sit covered for another 10 minutes to finish steaming. This will make the rice whiter, softer, and more flavorful. If you open the lid too soon, the rice cools quickly, the grains contract, and the texture won’t be as fluffy.

When stirring the rice, use a clean spoon free of any food residue to preserve the rice’s natural aroma.

How to store leftover rice
If you have leftover rice after a meal, place it in a clean, airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It’s best to consume it within 1–2 days to avoid nutrient loss or bacterial growth.

For longer storage, you can freeze the rice.

Never leave leftover rice in the pot with the lid closed, as this will cause it to spoil quickly.

How to reheat leftover rice
Cold rice can be reheated in the microwave. If the portion is small, you can simply mix it with freshly cooked rice and let it steam for a few minutes.

If there’s a large amount, reheat it by steaming over boiling water or placing it back in the rice cooker with a little water added to prevent dryness, then use the “cook” mode to warm it up.

Leftover rice can also be used to make fried rice — it’s perfect for that! Cold rice gives fried rice a better texture: drier, firmer, and crispier.