Hetbahn’s instant rice is a ready-to-eat rice that only requires 90 seconds in the microwave. It is an incredible invention that allows workers and students to enjoy a piping hot bowl of rice in the fast-paced South Korean society. But how does it work?
The first step to making a pack of Hetbahn is to put the rice into a container and press down on it firmly. The second is to add water to the rice. During this process, holes form on the rice’s surface. The reason for pressing on the rice is to ensure heat gets evenly distributed throughout the rice. The holes increase the speed of the rice’s gelatinization rate, resulting in more delicious rice. Gelatinization is what happens when rice cooks. As the temperature increases, moisture enters the rice starch, giving the rice a pleasant, chewy texture.
Another factor that affects the taste of the rice is when the rice is polished. Polishing refers to the process of hulling the rice to make it edible. Freshly polished rice tastes better because it contains more moisture. When you store rice for a long time, the moisture within the rice will drop, decreasing the quality of the rice. On the other hand, Hetbahn harvests and cooks the rice the same day after it has undergone polishing, meaning it will always taste fresh.