What's the difference between cocinar and cocer?

Question

The title says it all. In the one spanish video on this site they used "cocer" for bake, but then used honear in the flashcards section still

Answer 1

As far as i know cocer usually involves water in one form or another even if its just vapor, steaming, boiling, stewing etc. The only other use I've seen being to bake. So while cocer always means cocinar, cocinar doesnt always mean cocer as there are other ways to prepare (cook) food. Eg. If you fry an egg you are cocinando but not cociendo.

RAE: cocer

1. tr. Hacer comestible un alimento crudo sometiéndolo a ebullición o a la acción del vapor.

2. tr. Someter pan, cerámica, piedra caliza, etc., a la acción del calor en un horno, para que pierdan humedad y adquieran determinadas propiedades.

3. Someter algo a la acción del fuego en un líquido para que comunique a este ciertas cualidades.

Yes, basically boil versus cook. - annierats, Aug 27, 2013

Correct! - Dantscher, Aug 27, 2013

Answer 2

Let's not forget hervir for boil. It is used a lot more often than cocer. At least here in Baja.

Answer 3

Cocinar is to cook, and cocer is to boil.