Different Kinds Of Rice And How To Cook With Them

Rice. It’s in Mexican food, it’s in Indian food, it’s in Nepali food, it’s in Japanese food, Filipino food, Thai food… the list goes on!

Rice is one of the most popular foods eaten in the United States, with over 4.8 millions tons of the stuff eaten in just 2021 alone! From sushi rice to sweet rice to jasmine, red cargo, wild and bomba rice, here are some of the most popular kinds of rice eaten around the world and what they’re cooked with!

12 popular varieties of rice and how to eat them

Long grain rice varieties & how to cook with them

Basmati

India produces around 65% of the planet’s supply of basmati, which makes sense because the aromatic long grain rice originated from this very region. 

With a floral aroma and fluffy, soft grains, basmati rice is the perfect accompaniment to a saucy dish or is great served as-is. The grains are high in protein and don’t cause blood sugar to spike quite as highly as other rice varieties do, leaving you fuller, happier and more satisfied for longer. 

Jasmine

Originating in the area around Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, jasmine rice is known for its floral fragrance and buttery goodness. 

Because it’s soft, fluffy and flavorful on its own, jasmine rice is a good addition to many kinds of meals. It can be used to add texture to soups and stews, it does very well as a base for curries and it’s also well-suited to stir fry dishes and salads. 

The most popular kind of jasmine rice is the white kind, but the black, brown, red and purple varieties are just as good — though they may be harder to find.

Red cargo

Red cargo rice is fairly uncommon in most U.S grocery stores, but in Thailand and Vietnam it is a staple and household favorite!

This reddish-brown rice gets its color from an antioxidant called anthocyanin, which is present in all produce that’s naturally red, blue or purple. The color adds a dynamic splash of color to dishes that feature it, while the crunchier grains give a slightly nutty flavor that’s uncommon for most rice vareties. 

Wild rice

Fun fact: wild rice is not actually rice at all! They are seeds from a type of grass that grows in freshwater in and around the Great Lakes Region, where Native Americans have been harvesting it for generations. It’s also known as water oats, mnomen, Indian rice and Canada rice.

In most cases, though, wild rice is considered a rice, so we will, too. The grain is high in fiber, nutty in flavor and packed with antioxidants, plus it has a slightly crunchy texture that gives the grain a hearty body. Because its starch content is pretty low (as with most long grain rices), it doesn’t get too sticky when it’s cooked — this makes it a great variety to add into soups, salads and mixed veggies!

Sticky rice

This long grain rice is the odd-one-out of its long-grain neighbors, as it’s got a high starch content and is very glutinous when cooked. 

Also known as sweet rice or Thai rice, this rice variety is used in both sweet and savory dishes that require a more tightly-packed rice, such as sushi, rice pudding, dumplings, stuffing and rice balls. 

Medium grain rice varieties & how to cook with them

Arborio

Arborio rice is most often seen in risotto dishes, since the thick, starchy grains absorb flavored broths well and create a nice and creamy texture.

If you’ve watched any MasterChef at all, then you know a good risotto is all about perfect balance and careful cooking, and this rice is absolutely the best rice to use for it!

Black rice

Technically, black rice is just very, very red, though it’s dark enough to look black. The color comes from the same antioxidant present in red cargo rice and other reddish foods, and it gives the rice great health properties and an earthy flavor. 

Calrose

Calrose rice is the rice that started it all — at least, here in the United States. 

This popular medium grain rice was developed by scientists at the Rice Experiment Station (yes, that was a real place!) in California in 1948 and was a huge hit among local growers. The rice became the most popular variety in the state until about 1970 when other varieties of Calrose started getting developed.

Even though that original variety is no longer grown commercially, the success of that particular rice laid the groundwork for the rest of the California rice industry!

Thai black sticky rice

This vibrant black rice looks dark black raw and dark purple when cooked, making it a stunning addition to sushi, rice bowls, rice puddings and other decorative rice dishes. 

It’s also high in fiber and antioxidants, making this sticky rice variety an all-around winner when it comes to looks, taste and texture!

Short grain rice varieties & how to cook with them

Bomba

Ever had paella? Like, a good paella?

An authentic Spanish paella from the Valencia region of Spain uses this short grain rice almost exclusively, as the thick grains need to absorb more liquid in order to cook than other varieties require. More liquid absorbed means more flavor in the rice, which makes bomba rice perfectly suited for dishes like risotto, paella and other Mediterranean dishes. 

RoseMatta rice

Also named Kerala rice after the region in India where it’s grown, this pinkish-red rice is packed with vitamins and high in fiber — plus it’s super pretty. 

One unusual thing about this kind of rice is that you don’t cook it in the same way you would most other kinds. Rather, you chuck it into a pot of boiling water and cook it like a pasta until the rice is tender. Drain the water and voila! 

Matta rice is coarse, slightly nutty and has a crunchier texture than other types of rice, making it a great addition to game meat dishes, porridge and stews. 

Sushi rice

This popular rice is typically sold in its white form, though it's also available in its unhusked brown form if you know where to look. 

When cooked, short-grain sushi rice is soft, mildly sweet and extremely sticky, making it perfect for forming sushi and sashimi since it keeps its shape well, even when cooled. 

No two kinds of rice are created equal… and there are a lot of rice varieties! Next time you’re looking for the perfect rice for our dish, you’ll know where to go!

Enjoy

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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/ducken99