Adding ghee to rice while cooking not just enhances flavor but also makes the rice more nutrient-rich. Ghee, also called purified butter, is a healthy fat. There are a lot of food combinations that have scientific reasons, and by adding them to your lifestyle, you can improve your health. Adding Ghee while cooking rice is also in this category.
Adding ghee to rice is actually mentioned in Ayurvedic texts and is considered highly beneficial.

Benefits of adding ghee while cooking rice :

Boosts digestion – Ghee works like a natural digestive tonic – it activates enzymes, nourishes gut lining, and balances doshas, making food easier to digest. It lubricates the digestive track, preventing dryness and irritation.

Nourishes skin and hair – Ghee carries food’s nutrients deep into tissues, improving absorption. Rich in healthy fats, ghee provides deep nourishment.

Aids nutrition in a meal – It helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E, and K present in your meal.

Keeps you full for longer – Ghee added to rice keeps you full for longer, preventing overeating.

Prevent sugar spike – Mixing ghee with rice slows down starch digestion, that is, carbohydrates, preventing a sudden sugar spike.

Enhances aroma and taste – Adding ghee in cooking rice enhances flavour, making it nutty and mildly aromatic.

Prevents indigestion – It especially calms pitta ( excess acidity, heat ) and vata (bloating, dryness), which can disturb digestion. It makes rice lighter on the stomach.

Traditional touch – In Ayurveda, rice with ghee is considered sattvic, which means pure and nourishing.

Makes rice fluffy and non-sticky – Ghee coats each grain of rice, making it fluffy and separate.

Best way: While the rice is boiling/pressure cooking, add one teaspoon of ghee directly into the pot.

Ayurvedic mentions:

Charaka Samhita – Ghee is described as the best among all fats. It is said to promote digestion, strengthen the body, and nourish ojas. When combined with rice, it balances Pitta and Vata doshas.

Sushruta Samhita – Mentions ghee as a daily dietary essential for longevity, strength, and maintaining a calm mind. Eating rice with ghee is considered wholesome.

Ashtanga Hridaya – this scripture suggests that taking rice with ghee supports smooth digestion, prevents dryness, and improves memory and intelligence.

Ayurvedic Reasoning:
1. Rice alone is considered light and slightly drying. Adding ghee provides unctuousness (Snigdha guna), which balances dryness.
2. Ghee acts as anupana (vehicle) that helps rice’s nutrients reach deeper tissues.
3. The combo is called sattvic food – good for body, mind, and soul.