eli5- How does instant food (that says to just add boiling water) cook?

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Today i picked up an indian rice type snack from the supermarket called poha (i live in india btw) and you just need to add boiling water and leave it aside for just 3 minutes. How does this cook? Like ik the pressure and steam all help but is this already cooked halfway and if i eat raw what will happen etc. ?

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