To flavor up your rice, start with bay leaf as the woodsy, savory flavor of bay leaves makes them an excellent seasoning for rice, especially when paired with Indian cuisine. Garlic powder is yet another ingredient, seasoning with which creates a savory, all-purpose dish and delivers a delightful umami note that can be paired with a wide variety of foods.

If you want a little more unique taste, try cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, or a combination of the three. Together, earthy cumin, floral cardamom, and warm cinnamon can infuse your rice with traditional Indian character. To take things up a notch, fry the spices in oil first as it releases fat-soluble flavor compounds in the spices, and the oil helps distribute the taste evenly.

Although saffron is expensive, it gives a delicious satisfaction, recognizable by its signature bright yellow color. Visual stimuli, like color in food, can alter our perception of senses— thus rice might even taste better if you think its pretty. This spice gives a saturated, sunny yellow color to your rice and the flavor is floral or honey-tasting.

Finally, the aromatic magic of five-spice powder consists of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. It's a real palate-pleaser because it hits on all five taste sensations – sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Add a pinch of this all-in-one spice blend to give your rice tasty complexity and an Asian edge.