Rice will be 'perfect every time' if 1 key step is not skipped

Cooking rice at home might on the surface seem a simple task, but doing it just right is more difficult than you think. The perfect rice is fluffy, separate and not sticky-yet achieving such a feat can take just a little bit of practice.

One key step must be followed, according to a food expert, or you risk having to throw it in the bin and start all over again. And it's something as straightforward as rinsing. This often overlooked instruction is actually the most effective way to avoid that 'yucky' sticky texture that emerges once it's cooked.

The benefit of rinsing rice under cold water is that it helps remove the excess starch that causes the grains to clump together during cooking.

All you need to do is swirl the rice in a bowl, or under running water, until the water runs mostly clear. It typically takes around three to four rinses, but note this depends on the type of rice.

This step is regularly skipped during the process, partyly as a time-saving measure, but mostly because people didn't know of its advantages.

Food writer Rick Martínez wrote in an article for Bon Appetit detailing how to avoid getting "sticky, gummy rice every time": "Ever notice a thin film of chalky powder on your rice? When rice is shipped, grains jostle around and rub against one another; some of the outer starch scratches off. When the now starch-coated rice hits the boiling water, the starch blooms and gets sticky.

"As the water is absorbed, and the rice grains get closer and closer together, they will begin to stick to one anther and form large clumps. The very simple solution is to rinse."

Other important steps to remember when cooking rice is ensuring the water to rice ratio is just right. While different types of rice require slightly different amounts of water, a common ratio is one cup of rice to one-and-a-half cups of water.

Too much water will result in that 'mushy' texture no one likes, while too little risks leaving the rice undercooked. Should you be unsure, however, it's best to start with a little less and then add more should you need it.

After it's cooked, letting the rice rest is another trick that is often missed.

By letting rice cool, even if just for a little bit of time, it allows the moisture to redistribute evenly and helps the grains firm up and makes it much easier to fluff it up with a fork.