Every time you cook rice, it is important to take into account the weight since once cooked, its volume increases. And when you cook white rice, its weight can triple due to the absorption of liquid during cooking.
That is why it is essential to know the difference in weight between raw and cooked rice so that you can correctly calculate the appropriate amount of rice per person, control portions of specific diets and nutritional plans such as those used to control altered glycemic indexes or make recipes that require very precise measurements of ingredients.
This will allow you to cook the necessary amount of rice for each diner, ensuring that they have enough and that there is no waste.
How much does raw rice weigh once cooked?
The weight of rice can triple: 100 g of raw rice weighs approximately 300 grams once cooked. The cooking process significantly affects the weight of rice. If someone asks you how much 100 grams of raw rice is once cooked, that is the generic answer.
It is important to keep this in mind because if you overlook it and do not weigh it raw, taking into account its increase in weight and volume, two things can happen: either you cook too little rice, or you overcook it and have rice left over.
Factors affecting the weight of cooked rice
The weight of cooked rice compared to its raw state can vary due to 4 main factors.
- Type of rice: Depending on the variety of rice used, it will absorb more or less water. Varieties such as basmati and jasmine (long grain) tend to absorb less water, while brown rice (round grain) absorbs more water, even more than white rice.
- Cooking method: The method used to cook rice can also influence how much water it absorbs. Boiling rice or using a rice cooker will result in different levels of absorption, as you will be cooking the rice using just the right amount of water to get it to its optimal cooking point.
- Amount of water used: The proportion of water used is crucial, the more water, the greater the absorption, which will result in more weight once the rice is cooked. To obtain a consistent result, it is essential to follow the recommended proportions of water for each type of rice.
- Cooking time: Cooking time also plays a key role in weight gain, as the longer the rice is cooked, the more liquid it will absorb and therefore the heavier it will be. Always cook rice according to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding cooking time, so that it will not be hard or overcooked.
How to calculate the weight of raw rice to cooked rice
To calculate the weight of raw rice once cooked, we will use a general conversion using 100 grams of raw rice as a reference. However, you should bear in mind that this conversion may vary depending on the type of rice, the amount of water needed, and the cooking method used.
Generally, the weight equivalence of raw and cooked rice is as follows: 100 grams raw becomes 300 grams cooked, therefore the weight triples, which will give you a good idea to base your recipes by adjusting the ideal proportion of rice per diner.
How to weigh rice
To ensure you always get the right amount of rice, we recommend weighing the rice once it is cooked. This simple trick will allow you to properly plan the amount of rice you need for your meals, ensuring two things: that you have enough rice for each diner, and that you don’t waste any rice.
For accurate results, it is recommended to use a kitchen scale to measure both raw and cooked rice, especially when an exact amount is required in specific recipes.
Calories in raw and cooked rice
The calorie content of raw and cooked rice also varies due to the change in water content within the grain during cooking. Raw rice generally contains more calories than cooked rice because during the cooking process involving the absorption of water, the caloric concentration of the rice grains is diluted.
To give you an idea of the caloric variation between raw and cooked rice, we will take the following figures as a reference: 100 grams of raw rice can contain between 350 and 380 calories, while the same amount (100 grams) of cooked rice usually has between 130 and 140 calories.