When I was a kid I wonder why my mother or any elder who cook rice put some salt above or at the top of cover of the pot. I ask them, “What’s the use of that salt above?” They have the same answers, “To avoid raw rice!”

 

Some replied, “I’m just used of it, because grandma and mother do this every time”. Some said it’s a superstition that it can call any spirit forces or whatsoever ‘Cooking Master Spirit’/’Chef Master Spirit’ that can help or make the rice cooked perfectly. So confusing! :D

 

That was my greatest childhood question that not even clears to me, what’s the real explanation of it ‘til now and forget or just disappeared in my thoughts and mind until someone ask me the same question while were cooking, last day. My confusion in my childhood came back! I really don’t know how to respond, if I say about summoning the spirits, it would be so embarrassing for me in my age. Lol

 

At that day my childhood greatest question has answered, he said “Like the Ice-cream mans’ technique, in order the ices that surrounds the tube to last for one whole day, they put or pour it with 3 or more kilos of salt”, in related to my question, it makes the cover cool (not literally cool as cold), so when the vapor hits the cover it will condense back to the rice, therefore, the boiled condensed water will help out the rice that is going to be raw.

 

It takes minutes to absorb it on my mind. (>_<)

 

Even he answer it scientifically, it didn't satisfy me. What’s inside the salt? How its characteristics affect on some things? Maybe I need further explanations of some experts. o_O