Humidity refers to the amount of liquid that is used during the cooking process. Humidity is supplied by the addition of either a liquid such as water or stock or by the introduction of aromatic vegetables that release steam as they cook. This affects the final texture and flavor of the product.
Dry and humid environments have different cooking requirements:
- Dry environment: In a dry environment, no additional liquid is added or accumulated other than a small amount of fat such as butter or oil. Cooking is usually done with the pot or pan uncovered.
- Humid environment: To create this type of environment, a small or large amount of liquid is added. Cooking is usually done with the pot or pan covered to maintain a humid environment or to control the rate of evaporation of the liquid.