Why does day-old rice get dry in the refrigerator? 4 easy fixes to keep it soft and fluffy

From Ayurveda to nutritionists, everyone talks about the benefits of leftover rice. But let us accept the fact that refrigerated rice is often dry and solid, and loses its subtle sweetness. Sounds familiar? Well, according to experts, it all happens because of science, specifically a process called starch retrogradation. Let us understand the science behind it and how you can make the clumpy grains soft and fluffy once again.

Cold and hard rice is one of the most common problems witnessed in every kitchen daily. Whether you store it covered or uncovered, refrigerated rice often lacks moisture and loses its subtle sweetness. According to experts, when you cook rice, the starch granules absorb water and swell up in a process called gelatinization. And as you refrigerate the rice, it starts to reverse and this reversal of starch is called starch retrogradation. It is said that amylose and amylopectin molecules (the two types of starch in rice) start to realign themselves into a more orderly, crystalline form and slowly push out the water they absorbed during cooking. This loss of water makes the rice dry, firm and hard. If we go by the experts, the moisture is still there, it's just been separated from the starch. To reverse it, one needs to apply gentle heat to break up those crystals, making the rice soft and fluffy once again. Take a look at 4 ways to fix hard and dry rice.

This is one of the easiest methods to make the rice soft and fluffy. All you need to do is, let the rice sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Transfer it into a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water on top, cover it and microwave for 45-60 seconds or until the rice is hot and soft. The steam gently rehydrates the grains and makes them soft.

For this method also, let the rice sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Transfer the clumpy rice to a skillet or wok with a tablespoon or two of oil or water. Expose it to heat on medium-low. Use a spatula to break up the large chunks of rice. Cover and let the steam build up and soften the grains. Within 3-5 minutes your rice will be ready.

For this one, you can use the idli steamer as well. Simply transfer the rice into a perforated basket of the steamer, and in the meantime, boil 2 cups of water in the steamer. Place the basket and cover the lid. Let the rice steam for 10-12 minutes and your rice will be warm and soft, just like freshly made ones.

For this fix, you don't need to treat the rice at all. Simply reheat the dal or curry, crumble the hard rice and pour the hot dal or curry on top. Mix gently, and the broth will quickly rehydrate the grains, and they'll be perfectly soft by the time you're ready to serve. And if you are a ghee lover, then don't forget to add a couple of spoons of ghee on top and enjoy the flavours.

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