Most people will tell you: two cups of water for every one cup of rice. That means for two cups of rice? Four cups of water.
But wait. That’s for long-grain white rice, like jasmine or basmati. It’s the safe zone, the baseline. It works. It’s boring, but it works.
If you use that ratio for brown rice? You’ll be chewing on pebbles. Literally. Your jaw will get a workout. Not the kind you want.
What about the other rices? The rebels?
Let’s break it down, because rice is a drama queen. Each type wants different treatment. Short-grain (think sushi rice) is a bit thirstier. Try 1.25 cups water per cup of rice—so for two cups of short-grain, go with 2.5 cups water. Fluffy, sticky, perfect for your spicy tuna roll fantasy.
Brown rice is the overachiever. It needs more time and more love—2.5 cups water per cup of rice. So for two cups brown rice? That’s five whole cups of water. And about an hour of simmering. Start it early, accept your fate.
Then there’s wild rice, which isn’t even rice. It’s a grass. It’s fancy. Use 3.5 cups water per cup of wild rice. So for two cups? Yeah, seven cups. And it takes forever. Your patience will be tested.
