What is Dum Cooking? The Science Behind Biryani

by: Admin

Published On: 28-07-2025

When you take your first bite of a perfectly cooked biryani, what do you notice? The aroma? The soft rice? The burst of spices? The melt-in-the-mouth meat or veggies? All of it comes together in one beautiful dish, and behind that magic is a slow, time-tested method known as Dum Cooking.

At Sherri’s in Slough, where we serve authentic Indian cuisine, dum cooking is at the heart of many of our signature dishes — especially our biryani. But what exactly is dum cooking, and why is it so special? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Dum Cooking?

Dum Cooking, also called Dum Pukht, is a traditional Indian technique where food is cooked slowly on a low flame, in a sealed pot. The idea is to trap the steam inside so that the ingredients cook in their own juices, locking in all the flavour and aroma.

The word ‘dum’ comes from Persian, meaning “to breathe in” or “to simmer”. In dum cooking, the food gently breathes in its own flavours. It’s calm, slow — and the result is pure magic on a plate.

The Origins of Dum Cooking

Dum cooking dates back to the Mughal era, especially during the reign of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah of Awadh (Lucknow) in the 18th century. During a famine, large pots of rice, meat, and spices were slow-cooked for the workers. Legend says the Nawab tasted the food — and was amazed. It was then introduced into royal kitchens and became a symbol of refined Indian cuisine.

How Dum Cooking Works: The Science Part

Dum cooking may sound simple, but there’s a lot of science behind the flavours it creates:

• Sealing the Pot: The pot is sealed with dough or foil to trap the steam, forming a mini pressure cooker. This keeps all moisture and flavour inside.
• Slow Cooking: A low flame ensures that nothing burns or dries out. The slow heat helps spices blend, rice cook perfectly, and meat turn tender.
• Steam Infusion: Steam rich in spice aroma fills the pot and gets absorbed into every grain of rice and bite of meat — giving that deep, layered flavour.

Dum Cooking and Biryani: A Love Story

Let’s be honest — biryani without dum is like tea without sugar. Dum cooking gives biryani its soul. Here’s how we do it at Sherri’s:

1. Layering: We layer partially cooked rice and marinated meat or veggies in a pot with saffron milk, herbs, fried onions, and ghee.
2. Sealing: The pot is sealed with dough or a tight lid.
3. Simmering: It is cooked on low heat or on a hot tawa to evenly distribute the heat.
4. Cooking in Steam: Over time, everything merges into one rich, aromatic dish.

When our dum biryani reaches your table, it’s not just food — it’s a story of patience, science, and tradition.

Why Dum Biryani Tastes So Special

You might wonder — can’t we just cook biryani the regular way? Here’s why dum biryani is different:

• It’s Juicy: Steam locks in moisture for juicy meat and veggies.
• It’s Flavourful: Slow cooking lets every spice soak in fully.
• It’s Aromatic: That signature biryani aroma comes from the sealed steam method.
• It’s Balanced: Flavours blend evenly — no spice overwhelms another.

Dum Cooking at Sherri’s: The Taste of Home in the UK

At Sherri’s in Slough, we don’t believe in shortcuts. We believe in slow food, made with care. Our dum biryani — whether chicken, lamb, or vegetarian — is made with tradition, love, and time.

Our chefs are experts in dum cooking, with skills passed down through generations — from home kitchens, not textbooks. And when you taste it, you’ll know the difference.

Why You Should Try Dum Biryani at Least Once

If you’ve never tried dum biryani, here’s what our regulars say:

• “It tastes like home. Every spoon is comfort.”
• “The flavours are so rich, and the rice is never mushy — it’s just perfect.”
• “Best biryani I’ve had in the UK, hands down.”

Whether it's a celebration or a simple dinner — dum biryani is always a good idea.

Final Thoughts

Dum cooking is more than a method — it’s a tradition. A reminder that the best things in life take time and care. At Sherri’s, we honour that tradition in every dum biryani we serve.

So next time you’re in the mood for something soulful and flavourful — come to Sherri’s. Because here, we don’t just cook biryani.
We celebrate it.