As a culinary expert with a passion for creating delicious and perfectly cooked dishes, I'm often asked about the precise measurements needed to achieve the best results in the kitchen. One of the most common questions pertains to the water-to-rice ratio when cooking rice. Understanding this ratio is crucial, as it can make the difference between a fluffy, well-cooked dish and a soggy or undercooked one. Let's delve into the details of cooking rice, focusing on the amount of water needed for 4 cups of rice.
When cooking rice, it's essential to consider the type of rice you're using, as different varieties require different amounts of water and cooking times. Here's a breakdown of the water-to-rice ratios for various types of rice, along with their simmer times:


1. White medium-grain rice: The ratio is 1 1/2 cups to 1 cup of water for every cup of rice. After bringing the water to a boil, you should simmer it for about 15 minutes.


2. White short-grain rice: Similar to medium-grain, short-grain rice also requires a ratio of 1 1/4 cups to 1 cup of water per cup of rice, with a simmer time of 15 minutes.


3. Sushi rice (Calrose): This type of rice, known for its stickiness, requires a slightly higher ratio of 1 1/3 cups to 1 cup of water. The simmer time is longer, ranging from 18 to 20 minutes.


4. Brown long-grain rice: Brown rice takes longer to cook due to its outer bran layer, so it requires a higher water ratio of 1 3/4 cups to 1 cup. The simmer time is significantly longer, between 40 to 45 minutes.

Now, to answer your question directly: If you're cooking 4 cups of rice, you'll need to adjust the water amounts based on the type of rice you're using. Here's how it breaks down:

- For white medium-grain rice, you'd need between 6 to 8 cups of water.
- For white short-grain rice, the amount is also between 6 to 8 cups of water.
- For sushi rice (Calrose), you'd use between 6 2/3 cups and 8 cups of water.
- For brown long-grain rice, you'd need between 7 to 8 cups of water.

Remember, these are general guidelines, and factors such as altitude and the specific brand of rice can affect the cooking process. It's always a good idea to taste and adjust as needed. Also, consider using a rice cooker if you want consistent, perfect results every time.

Now, let's move on to the translation of the above information into Chinese.

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Type of RiceWater to Rice RatioSimmer TimeWhite medium-grain1 1/2 cups to 1 cup15 minutesWhite short-grain1 1/4 cups to 1 cup15 minutesSushi rice (Calrose)1 1/3 cups to 1 cup18 to 20 minutesBrown long-grain1 3/4 cups to 1 cup40 to 45 minutes10 more rowsread more >>