When cooking rice, should the lid be left on or off?

When cooking rice, keeping the lid on is essential for properly steaming the grains. This practice ensures that the moisture is trapped inside, allowing the rice to absorb the water evenly and cook uniformly. When the lid is left on, steam builds up in the pot, creating a hot and humid environment that helps the rice expand and become fluffy. Removing the lid can cause steam to escape, leading to uneven cooking or drying out the rice.

Using the lid is particularly important for different types of rice, whether white or brown, as it helps maintain consistent temperature and moisture, which are crucial for the cooking process. Hence, it’s beneficial to keep the lid on throughout the majority of the cooking time to achieve the desired texture and doneness.