The heating of a liquid depends on the rise of temperature that takes place. As the temperature increases, the heating rate also increases. Boiling and Simmering are two such terms that seem alike while they are not. There are certain differences between both the terms, which make their application different at required times.
Boiling vs Simmering
The main difference between Boiling and Simmering is that when boiling occurs, the liquid is hotter as compared to that of simmering. Boiling is possible at 212 degrees, whereas simmering is possible at a lower temperature, i.e., 180-190 degrees. The bubbles that rise from the surface of water vigorously while boiling are comparatively larger than simmering.
Boiling is the process of heating any liquid at a very high temperature. Boiling usually occurs at 212 degrees. In this method, the rate of heating is comparatively higher and faster, which makes any tough food item edible during cooking. It is possible due to large bubbles that get formed due to high temperature.
On the other hand, Simmering is a heating process that takes place at a lower temperature than that boiling. Simmering occurs at around 180-190 degrees and is quite gentler than boiling. It has a lower heating rate and results in smaller bubbles being formed at the water surface.
Comparison Table Between Boiling and Simmering
| Parameters of Comparison | Boiling | Simmering |
| Definition | Boiling is a process of heating liquid at a high temperature. | Simmering is a process of heating liquid at a lower temperature. |
| Temperature Requirement | It occurs at 212 degrees. | It occurs at around 180-190 degrees. |
| Bubble Formation | It results in the formation of large bubbles at the water surface. | It results in the formation of comparatively smaller bubbles. |
| Texture | It makes the food items easy to chew. | It makes them gummy and sticky. |
| Duration | It takes lesser time. | It consumes more time. |
| Usage | The food items that have a tough texture are boiled. | The softer food items are shimmered. |
What is Boiling?
Boiled water or food is oh-so-hot when it comes to its temperature. Boiling is a vigorous heating process that is achieved at a very high temperature, i.e., 212 degrees. This temperature is equal to the boiling point of water at sea level.
In order to acknowledge whether something has boiled, one is supposed to notice the surface closely. When there are large bubbles formed at the water surface and rise vigorously and continuously, that is when it is boiled. The high temperature causes the bubbles to form at such a fast rate. The bubbles rise in the form of steam.
Generally, boiling is of two types- Simple boil and Rolling boil. A simple boil is when large bubbles are formed at the surface of the liquid and rise continuously. In contrast, erupting bubbles are formed in the case of a rolling boil. There is no change observed in the rate of bubbles even when stirring occurs. This is why it is advised not to touch the surface of the container with bare hands while boiling occurs.
There is a specific reason why food items that have a tough texture are boiled and not shimmered. It is because boiling makes them edible and easy to chew. Pasta, carrots, broccoli, potato etc., are included in it. In most cases, boiling is less time-consuming as compared to simmering, but the actual timing depends on the fire source.
What is Simmering?
Simmering is a job that requires heavy attention. It is a form of the heating process that is achieved at a lower temperature as compared to boiling. The temperature required for simmer is around 180-190 degrees.
If not looked after, a simmer can easily convert into a boil as the temperature gap is very less. This is why simmering something requires close attention, unlike boiling. When there are small bubbles formed at the water surface and tend to rise not as vigorously as boiling, one can be sure that simmering has occurred.
Based on bubble formation, simmer can be of three types– Fine, Simple and Vigorous. Fine simmer takes place when the bubbles formed are tiny and have a rate close to just a few per two or three seconds. Simple simmer has slightly larger bubbles than fine, and they are continuous. Vigorous simmer has continuous bubble formation, and they rise from the surface as steam.
Simmering is generally a slower and more time-consuming method than boiling. Food items that are softer and delicate are usually shimmered rather than being boiled. It includes poached egg or fish, soft parts of the chicken, beef etc. For the simmering to be proper, the fire source needs to be adjusted again and again just so that the temperature does not go much higher.
Main Differences Between Boiling and Simmering
- Boiling is defined as heating at a high temperature, while simmering is heating at a lower temperature.
- Boiling occurs at 212 degrees, while simmering occurs at 180-190 degrees.
- In boiling, larger bubbles are formed and rise from the water surface vigorously, but the bubbles are smaller in simmering.
- Boiling provides an easy to chew texture to food, whereas simmering makes the food gummy.
- Simmering is slower and more time-consuming as compared to boiling.
- Tough food items are boiled to make them edible, while delicate and softer food items are shimmered.
Conclusion
Boiling and Simmering are two different methods of heating liquid, or any food item yet are somewhat similar to each other. In certain cases, the liquid is heated to boil, while in others, it is just shimmered. Also, some recipes require both boiling and simmering to work together.
Although boiling is believed to be faster than simmering, the amount of time consumed during these methods depends solely on the fire source. So heating abilities of the fire source do the play here!
Food that is not eaten raw is first boiled or simmered to make it soft and edible. Some of the food items have a tough texture, while some are delicate. The delicate ones require very low heating in order to become soft. Therefore, they are shimmered, and the tough ones are boiled.
References
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Samuel_Ayo/publication/228485667_Design_construction_and_testing_of_an_improved_wood_stove/links/02bfe51373233d718c000000/Design-construction-and-testing-of-an-improved-wood-stove.pdf
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sanusi_Mada/publication/269223635_Effect_of_Boiling_Simmering_and_Blanching_on_the_Antinutritional_Content_of_Moringa_oleifera_Leaves/links/54bfc6850cf28a63249fdf64.pdf