The Secret to Perfect, Fluffy Rice Hotels Don’t Want You to Know

Many people make the mistake of cooking rice by simply adding water and letting it boil. The result? Mushy, sticky, or unevenly cooked rice. Hotels, however, use a few tricks to make rice fluffy, separate, and full of flavor every time. With this simple method, you can recreate that perfect texture at home.

Ingredients (for 2–3 servings)

1 cup long-grain rice (like Basmati or Jasmine)

1 ½ cups water (adjust slightly for your rice type)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp oil or unsalted butter

Optional: a few whole spices (like bay leaf, cardamom, or cloves) for aroma

Step 1: Rinse the Rice