Persian rice plays an undeniable role in Iranian cuisine. The variety of rice types and also the Persian style rice cooking methods in Iran seems unbelievable. Believe it or not, making good Persian food is an Art. It can seem long and intimidating, but the key virtue in the Persian culinary tradition is patience. And a little bit of patience is all you need in order to cook the perfect fluffy Persian rice. 

The history of Persian rice

The farming of rice reached Iran from southeast Asia and India. It was a specialty of the Safavid empire’s royal household cuisine at first and became a major part of Iranian cuisine by the end of the 16th century. Before that, during the 7th-13th centuries, rice was cultivated in Azerbaijan, Fars, Khuzestan, and most importantly, the Caspian provinces – the very regions that are still the main areas of rice production.

Nowadays with the arrival of spring, the process of cultivating Persian rice begins…

The Iranian farmers take great pride in their rice fields in producing the most delicately flavoured rice known. Most of the long-grain rice that is grown in Iran comes from the Caspian Sea area, the provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran, as well as the slopes of the Alborz mountains. A small quantity for local consumption is also grown wherever an abundant supply of water is available.

Moreover, it is not only the type and quality of the rice that matters, but the age of it is also important! Iranians believe it is better to store Persian rice for at least a year before using it.

Variations of Persian rice

There are different types of Persian rice in Iran such as Gerde, Domsiah (black tail, because it’s black at one end), Champa, Doodi (smoked rice), Lenjan, and Tarom. Cooking methods also differ depending on the food type or the occasion in which the food is going to serve.

Here are a few Persian rice terms you will find useful before cooking: 

  • Berenj is a general term for rice grains.
  • Chelo is the name applied to steamed Persian white rice cooked separately and over which different types of stew or meats and kabab are served with.
  • Polo, often called Persian rice pilaf in the West, is the name applied to rice with which other ingredients are mixed in the cooking process. 

The Persian method of cooking rice is very different and quite unique when compared with other rice-consuming cultures. Hence why people are extremely intimidated when it comes to making Persian rice.

What rice to use when cooking Persian rice?

The most important point to have in mind is that Iranians don’t use any other type of rice except basmati. It’s also crucial to use a non-stick pan.

Cooking rice in Iran also has a few other tricks that you won’t find in other rice-loving nations. In the Persian Method of cooking rice, you go through 5 steps to achieve perfectly cooked fluffy Persian rice:

  1. washing
  2. soaking
  3. boiling
  4. draining
  5. and finally steaming

Serving Persian rice

Persian rice is a key element of today’s Persian culinary culture and is served with a variety of stews such as Ghormeh Sabzi, Gheymeh, Fesenjan, or chicken-based recipes such as Zereshk polo ba Morgh. 

How to cook Persian rice the right way?

#1 Measure out the rice and place it in a bowl. For every person, you should consider 1 cup of 80g of rice. For every cup of rice, you need 1 and a half a cup of water.

measuring persian rice

#2 Wash the Persian rice a few times until the water is clear. This is a crucial Persian technique; to wash out all the excess starch.

washing persian rice to remove extra starch

 

#3 Add water on top of the rice with two Tsp salt for every cup of rice and let the rice soak for at least an hour; this allows the rice to soften as it absorbs water. Rice may be soaked to decrease cooking time, conserve fuel, minimize exposure to high temperature, and reduce stickiness. For some varieties of Persian rice, soaking improves the texture of the cooked rice by increasing the expansion of the grains.

 

Soaking Persian rice in water

#4 Bring water to boil in a non-stick pot, then add a pinch of salt to the boiling water. Drain the soaked rice and pour it into the boiling water. Give it a quick stir then cook for about 10 to 15 minutes. It is best to test the rice after about 10 minutes. The grains should be soft on the outside and still hard in the center.

Cooking Persian rice

#5 Once the rice reaches the aldente point, drain it in a strainer and give it a good rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and to prevent getting mushy rice.

draining Persian rice

#6 To make the Tahdig, add oil or butter to the bottom of the pot and place flatbread such as Lavash or pitta. Then pile the rice on top in the shape of a pyramid or mountain. 

What is Tahdig?

In Farsi, Dig is pot and Tah means bottom—so Tahdig literally means “bottom of the pot”. It is the golden, crunchy-crisp layer at the bottom of the pot, and it is one of the main components of any Persian meal. Every platter of Persian rice must be served with this top-notch accessory. Iranians are seriously in love with their versions of Tahdig, and it’s common to see them jokingly fight over it.

Making Tahdig with bread

#7 Dig several wells in the rice with the handle of a spatula or tablespoon for better steaming. And you can also place the ground saffron mixture in the middle so it can be brewed with rice steam. Just make it’s in a heat-proof glass container.

 

Steaming Persian rice with Tahdig

 

Pour a little hot water (about 1/4 cup) around the sides, to help with the steaming.

Making Persian rice and Tahdig

#9 Wrap the lid in a Damkoni (a clean tablecloth). Cover the lid firmly on the pot, and cook on medium-high for 10 minutes, until the steam is built up. Then lower heat to medium-low and steam the rice for another 30 to 40 minutes depending on the amount of rice you’re cooking.

Wrapping Persian rice with Damkoni

#10 When the Persian rice is fully cooked use a large scoop to take some rice from the top and mix it with dissolved brewed saffron in a bowl to use for garnish. This Persian saffron rice topping is almost inseparable from every Iranian rice dish.

#11 Gently serve rice on a platter, sprinkle the saffron rice on top. Remove the Tahdig (bottom bread crust) and serve on a separate plate.

Persian rice and Tahdig with bread

And voila! Your perfect Persian fluffy rice is ready! 

persian rice recipe

Persian rice

ShirinTahanan
Persian fluffy rice (Chelo)
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Persian
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups basmati rice
  • 4 tbsp Salt
  • 8 cups Water
  • Vegetable oil

Bread Tahdig

  • 1 Flat bread (Such as Lavash, Pita or Tortilla) Whole or cut into pieces
  • Vegetable oil

Garnish

  • 2 tbsp Bloomed saffron

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl wash the rice with cool water a few times to get rid of the extra starch. Then Pour enough cool water so it’s about an inch from the surface of the rice, add salt and set aside to Soak for at least an hour.
  • In a large non-stick pot, bring 8 cups of water to a rapid boil on high heat.
  • Drain the washed and soaked rice and pour into the boiling water.
  • Bring the water back to a boil on medium-high heat, and cook for about 20 minutes or until the grain are long, soft on the outside and still a little hard in the center.
  • Drain the rice in a sieve and rinse it well under cool running water.
  • Wash the rice pot with water. Add oil or butter to the bottom of the pot making sure it has covered the bottom of the pot completely, and place flat bread.
  • With a large spatula return the parboiled rice into the pot over the bread, building it into a pyramid shape away from the sides of the pot. In order to release the steam make 4-5 holes in the rice with the bottom of the spatula. 
  • Cook the rice for 7-10 minutes or until rice is steaming. When the steam starts to come out, pour 2 tablespoons of oil and 1/4 cup of water over the rice.
  • Wrap the lid in a clean kitchen towel, cover the lid firmly on the pot and cook the rice on low heat for another 30 to 40 minutes.
  • When the rice is fully cooked use a large scoop and take some rice from the top and mix it with Bloomed Saffron in a bowl. Set aside. 
  • Serve rice on a platter, sprinkle the saffron rice on top.  Gently remove the Tahdig (bottom bread crust) and serve on a separate plate.
  • Chelo is served as a part of main course with all Persian Kebab and Stews.
Keyword Persian Rice