Why do I need to fluff rice with a fork?

by Cookthink

To "fluff" rice (or couscous, quinoa or bulgur) means to use the prongs of a fork to carefully separate the cooked grains. This will remove any lumps and separate the delicate grains without crushing them to give the rice a light, fluffy texture. (A wooden spoon is too much of a bruiser for this operation and will often result in mushy rice.) Note: When making a granita, a semi-frozen dessert made from water, sugar and fruit or other flavorings, a fork is also used to scrape the ice crystals as they form, resulting in a fluffy icy texture, not an ice cube. Recipe: Stuffed Zucchini With Ground Beef, Brown Rice, Red Pepper And Basil (Kalyn's Kitchen) Recipe: Vegetable Fried Rice (Tastes Like Home) Recipe: Muscatel & Green Grape Granita (Chow)