fluffy rice

Meaning

This term describes rice that has been cooked perfectly so that the grains are light, soft, airy, and separate from one another, rather than sticky or clumped together. It is the ideal texture for long-grain varieties like Basmati or Jasmine.

Examples

• Using a fork to separate the grains is the secret to fluffy rice.

  Using a fork to separate the grains is the secret to fluffy rice.

• The curry was served over a bed of hot, fluffy rice.

  The curry was served over a bed of hot, fluffy rice.

• Rinsing the starch off before cooking helps you get fluffy rice.

  Rinsing the starch off before cooking helps you get fluffy rice.

• I can never seem to make fluffy rice; mine always turns out mushy.

  I can never seem to make fluffy rice; mine always turns out mushy.

• This rice cooker guarantees perfect, fluffy rice every single time.

  This rice cooker guarantees perfect, fluffy rice every single time.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I cooked some soft and airy rice.

  ✓ I cooked some fluffy rice.

  While 'soft' and 'airy' are literal descriptors, 'fluffy rice' is the idiomatic collocated phrase native speakers always use.

• ✗ The chef served some sponge rice.

  ✓ The chef served some fluffy rice.

  'Sponge' or 'spongy' is not used for rice; 'fluffy' is the correct term for light, well-separated grains.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Rinse the grains under cold water first if you want perfect ___.

  💡 Light, non-sticky rice.

  Show answer

  fluffy rice

• The spicy chicken curry pairs beautifully with a side of ___.

  💡 Soft, airy rice.

  Show answer

  fluffy rice