Ingredients
- 1 cup Jasmine Rice (High quality crop preferred)
- 1 1/4 cups Brewed Jasmine Green Tea (See tips below)
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Neutral Oil or Butter (Optional, for sheen)
Instructions
1.
Brew the Tea: This is the most critical step. Steep 1 tbsp of loose leaf Jasmine Green Tea in hot water (80°C/175°F) for only 2-3 minutes. Strain and set aside to cool slightly. Do not over-steep, or the tannins will make your rice bitter.
2.
Rinse the Rice: Place the rice in a fine mesh sieve. Rinse under cold running water, agitating with your hand, until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch so the grains don't get gummy.
3.
Combine: In a saucepan (or rice cooker pot), combine the rinsed rice, the brewed tea, salt, and oil.
4.
Cook: Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once bubbling, immediately cover with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to the lowest setting. Simmer for 15 minutes.
5.
Steam & Fluff: Turn off the heat. Do not open the lid! Let it sit and steam for another 10 minutes. Open, fluff with a fork, and serve.
Bitterness Control
The biggest mistake with Tea Rice is using bitter tea. Green tea releases tannins when boiled. By brewing the tea separately at a lower temperature first (80°C), and then using that liquid to cook the rice, you preserve the floral aroma without the astringency. Learn more about avoiding bitter tea here.