Why you should start cooking rice in coconut water

Cooking rice in coconut water, especially from tender ones, enhances its flavour, giving it a subtle sweetness and a light, tropical aroma. It’s a simple yet delicious way to elevate plain rice, making it perfect for pairing with curries, grilled meats, or seafood.

Cooking rice in coconut water requires no extra effort—simply replace regular water with coconut water in your usual rice recipe. For a richer version, you can mix coconut water with coconut milk.

Basic coconut water rice recipe:

Ingredients
1 cup rice (white or jasmine rice works best)
2 cups coconut water
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1 tsp coconut oil or butter (optional, for extra richness)

Preparation
Rinse the rice under running water until the water runs clear
In a pot, combine rice, coconut water, and salt (if using)
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low
Cover and let it simmer for about 15 minutes (or follow the cooking time for your rice variety)
Once the water is absorbed, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes
Fluff with a fork and serve warm.