Rice is a cereal grain and one of the most important grains on Earth. It is consumed by around half of the world’s population, making it one of the most widely eaten foods in the world.
With such a wide variety of dietary choices, there are also many different types of rice available to choose from.
Long-grain Rice
This type of rice is long and thin. It cooks up fluffy, with individual grains remaining separate from each other. Long-grain rice is a popular choice for making dishes like pilafs, salads and stir-fried dishes.
For instance, varieties of long-grain rice include:
1) Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is aromatic and has a nutty flavour. It pairs well with Indian dishes and curries, as well as with Middle Eastern dishes.
2) Jasmine
Jasmine rice has a sweet flavour and soft texture when cooked. It is often used in Southeast Asian cuisine such as Thai or Vietnamese dishes.
3) Texmati
Texmati rice is a hybrid of Basmati and American long-grain rice. It has a slightly nutty flavour, like Basmati, but with a fluffy texture when cooked.
4) Wehani
Wehani rice is a long-grain, mahogany-coloured variety of rice. It is a hybrid of Basmati and Wild Pecan Rice and has a nutty flavour and chewy texture when cooked, making it great for pilafs or salads.
Medium Grain Rice
This type of rice is shorter and rounder than long grain, but still cooks up with fluffy grains that remain separate when cooked. It is often used in risotto dishes and paellas.
Examples of medium grain varieties include:
1) Arborio Rice
Arborio rice is a medium-grain variety that is often used in risottos. Its high starch content gives the cooked grains a creamy texture and it absorbs flavour well.
2) Carnaroli Rice
Carnaroli rice is similar to Arborio, but with a slightly firmer texture when cooked. It has excellent absorption properties and is commonly used in risotto dishes.
3) Valencia Rice
Valencia rice is a Spanish variety with a sweet flavour. It is often used in paella and other Spanish dishes, as well as risotto.
4) Calrose Rice
Calrose rice is a medium-grain variety that is widely used in Asian cooking. It has a sticky texture when cooked, making it ideal for sushi or other dishes where the grains need to stick together.
5) Bomba Rice
Bomba rice is another Spanish variety of medium-grain rice. It has a high starch content, so it absorbs flavour well and has a creamy texture when cooked.
Short Grain Rice
Short-grain rice is short and wide, with grains that cling together when cooked. This type of rice is often used in sushi because it has a high starch content makes it sticky and helps the stay together.
Varieties of short-grain rice include:
1) Japanese Rice
Japanese rice is a short-grain variety that is used for making sushi. It has a very high starch content and is sticky when cooked, making it perfect for rolling.
2) Sushi Rice
Sushi rice is a special type of Japanese rice that is slightly sweeter than other varieties. It has excellent absorption properties and is perfect for making sushi and other dishes where the grains need to stick together.
3) Calriso Rice
Calriso rice is a short-grain variety with a slightly nutty flavour. It has a high starch content, so it clings together when cooked and works well in sushi or other dishes that require the grains to stick together.
4) Black Rice
Black rice is a type of short-grain rice that has a slightly nutty flavour and dark purple colour when cooked. It is often used in desserts or as a side dish, as it adds an interesting visual element to the plate.
Takeaway
With so many different types of rice available, it can be difficult to know which one to choose for a particular dish. But by understanding the differences between each type and knowing when to use them, you will be able to create delicious dishes that will leave your guests impressed.
So next time you go to the grocery store, take some time to explore the different types of rice available and experiment with them in your cooking! We offer a selection of rice for various cooking styles and other baking ingredients too on our online store.
