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Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Perfect Rice Cooker Cooking Course at Zojirushi

Posted on

July 14, 2024

by

Zojirushi America Corporation

Cooked quinoa in a white bowl on the yellow and orange table cloth with hot tea on the side.

At Zojirushi, we’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what our rice cookers can achieve, just as our customers are. We are excited to share the behind-the-scenes process of how we develop new cooking courses for our rice cookers so that we all can enjoy perfect results every time. With the popularity of grains like quinoa on the rise, we took on the challenge of perfecting a cooking course dedicated to it with our beloved Zojirushi Rice Cooker. Let’s explore the process it takes to create a new course – in this case, quinoa! 

 

Creating a Quinoa Course 

  1. Picking the Right Grain Brand for Testing

First things first, we need a star player. Not all quinoa is the same, so we carefully select a brand that’s popular in the US, that is easily accessible, and likely to be found in your pantry. This ensures that everyone will enjoy consistent results every time they cook quinoa in a Zojirushi Rice Cooker. 

Scooped quinoa and leveling off the cup with the back of a knife with a rice cooker in the background
It’s important to always measure grains with the rice measuring cup included with the rice cooker.

 

  1. Initial Testing: A Blend of Science and Art

Our journey begins by following the cooking instructions on the quinoa package. Once we are done with that, we then try to replicate these results using the existing courses in our rice cookers. We experiment with different grain-to-water ratios and various cooking settings. It’s almost like being a mad scientist in the kitchen! 

Adding quinoa to the rice cooker pan on the digital scale
Exact measures are important. We measure the grains and water by weight when testing.

 

  1. Crafting the Ideal Course

Here’s where real creativity begins. We tweak cooking times, adjust temperatures, and perfect water amounts to create a course just for quinoa. It’s a meticulous process because we want every batch – whether it’s 0.5 cups or 5.5 cups – to be cooked evenly. We strive for the perfect texture, ensuring there are no burns, hard spots, or overly soft areas.  

Adding water to a rice cooker pan with quinoa in it

 

  1. Preventing Rice Cooker Overflow and Burns: Our Safety Net

We rigorously test to prevent overflow or burning, even under unexpected conditions. By increasing the voltage or adding extra water, we push our rice cookers to their limits to make sure they perform perfectly every time. 

Cooked quinoa side by side
On the left there are some brown spots on a failed batch. The right has an even color on the bottom and no browning.

 

  1. Testing with Other Brands: Consistency is Key

Once we’ve perfected the process with one brand, we extend testing to various quinoa brands to ensure great results no matter what brand you pick up from the store. Consistency is crucial for us at Zojirushi, and we know it matters to you, too. 

 

  1. Launching the Product: Ready for Your Kitchen

After countless hours of testing and perfecting, we’re ready to launch our rice cookers on the market with the new quinoa course! Our dedication to perfecting each course reflects our strong commitment to excellence. Steps 3 and 4 in our process ensure that when you cook grains in your Zojirushi Rice Cooker, you get the best possible results every time.  

While you can certainly experiment with cooking various grains, we recommend sticking to the courses we’ve meticulously developed for best performance and delicious outcomes. 

 

Cook with Confidence 

 A plate of cooked quinoa with a rice cooker in the background.

Cooking quinoa and other grains in a rice cooker might sound simple, but achieving consistent results requires precision. Our reliable rice cooker instructions guide you through, ensuring no grain is left uncooked or burnt. With the rising interest in grain varieties, from quinoa to steel-cut oats, we’re excited to continue innovating and expanding our course offerings. Be sure to check out our “Know Your Rice…and the right way to cook it!” page to find out the exact cooking instructions for different rice and grains in your rice cooker. If you run into any issues with your rice cooker, feel free to reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable Customer Service Department. We’re always here to help you achieve perfect results every time. 

What’s your favorite course to use on your Zojirushi rice cooker? We’d love to hear your stories! Share your experiences with us on social media by tagging us on Instagram and Facebook. #Zojirushi #ZoFan 


Posted

July 14, 2024

in

Design Explained

by

Zojirushi America Corporation

Tags:

behindthescene, quinoa, rice, ricecooker, Zojirushi

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