How much water is required to make matta rice?

Why does your matta rice stay hard after boiling for an hour? Are you still struggling to figure out the right amount of water to cook matta rice? 

It can be confusing for a lot of people because they treat this ‘thirsty’ red rice like any other regular white rice. If you want to do it right, you need to know how to work with this red grain. 

Kerala matta rice is renowned for its rich nutritional content and earthy taste. However, because it keeps its thick outer bran, it absorbs more water than other varieties of rice. Using insufficient water may leave you with a crispy, undercooked mess. 

Understanding the matta rice water ratio

The Kerala matta rice cooking ratio is the most important aspect in getting the correct texture. The water-rice ratio for matta rice is much more than that of white rice because using more water guarantees that the heat reaches the grain’s core. But this ratio isn’t fixed. According to particular kitchen utensils, you must modify the quantity of the water.

Matta Rice Water Ratio – Cooker Vs Open Pot Vs Rice Cooker

PRESSURE COOKER

In a pressure cooker, add the rice, 4 cups of water, and optional salt. 

RICE COOKER

In a rice cooker, add the rice, 3 cups of water, and optional salt.

STOVE TOP OR OPEN POT

In a saucepan, combine with 5 cups of water and an optional pinch of salt. 

The secret to “soft and fluffy” rice

If you want to cook soft and fluffy matta rice, the secret isn’t just adding the right amount of water. It’s in the preparation. Before you put the rice to cook, you should soak it for at least 30 to 60 minutes. This process pre-hydrates the bran, allowing the rice grains to be cooked more effectively during the boil. 

By mastering the right soaking time and the right amount of water, you can easily learn  the matta rice cooking method. Now cook up soft, fluffy, and well-separated Kerala matta rice without any hustle and enjoy perfectly cooked rice every single time.