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Science of Food: Water
Knuckle-Method Rice
recipe

Knuckle-Method Rice

Not sure how much water to add when cooking rice? This method works well for pots that are 8–10 inches (20–25 centimeters) in diameter.

 

Total time: 30 minutes

 


Grade Bands: 
6-8
9-12
Subject: 
Chemistry
Food & Cooking

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Ingredients

  • White rice (any kind)
  • Water

To do and notice

Place rice in a pot and rinse with water.

Place your fingertip on top of the rice and add water until it reaches your first knuckle.

Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil.

Turn the heat to low and cook for 18–20 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. (It’s OK to check.)

Turn off the heat and let the cooked rice sit for at least five minutes without removing the pot lid.


What's going on?

Wondering how this method can work with any amount of rice? It separately considers the amounts of water absorbed and evaporated during cooking and adjusts only what is needed as the amount of rice changes. Read more about it here.


Resources

Check out this episode of Hungry for Science to see a video demonstration of the knuckle method.



More to explore

Simmering Rice
Simmering Rice

Explore the knuckle method of cooking rice.

Science of Food: Water
Science of Food: Water

Explore water's crucial role in food and cooking.

Cooking Equivalents and Measures
Cooking Equivalents and Measures

Converting between measurement systems? We're here to help.

  • Science of Food: Water
  • Explorable Water
  • Pressure Cooking
  • Brining Turkey
  • Freeze-Thawing Strawberries
  • Popping Popcorn
  • Simmering Rice
  • Soaking Pasta
  • Freeze-Drying Ice Cream
  • Searing Steak
  • Try this
  • More to explore
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