There are over 40,000 different kinds of rice. Which is right for you?
Rice is a dietary staple in cultures all around the world, and with over 40,000 different varieties, it can be difficult to decide which rice is right for you. I used to steer clear of the rice aisle because I always felt it was time consuming and difficult to cook. Now it is a staple in my diet. I figured if I shared a few facts and tips rice could become a staple in your diet too.
Size Matters! There is a difference between long grain and short/medium grain rice and one is in the way it cooks. Short and medium grain rice tends to produce a stickier final product where long grain rice is fluffy and light when cooked.
So many choices! If you are like me, you have stood in the rice aisle and stared at the many varieties with no idea which you should choose. Hopefully these brief descriptions can help you out.
Arborio Rice: Primarily used in risottos, this medium-grain, round rice is named after the town in Italy where it is grown. Arborio rice has a creamy, slightly chewy texture when cooked.
Basmati Rice: A long-grain, aromatic rice from India and Pakistan. It has a nutty flavor and light, fluffy texture when cooked.
Bhutanese Red Rice: Grown at 8000 feet in the town of Bhutan this short-grained red rice is irrigated by a glacier rich in minerals. It has a nutty, earthy flavor and soft texture when cooked.
Black Rice: Also known as forbidden rice, this short-grain rice that originated in Asia is black when raw and deep purple when cooked. It is rich in fiber, minerals and amino acids and has a nutty flavor.
Brown Rice: Short, medium and long grained rice that is milled to remove the hull but keep the bran in tact. It is more nutritious then white rice because the bran contains an abundance of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Jasmine Rice: Aromatic, long-grain rice grown in Thailand that cooks up soft and slightly sticky. Jasmine rice is a good source of complex carbohydrates.
Cooking Rice: Here is where it can get tricky. Rice cooks a bit differently depending on the type so here are a few basic steps to get a perfect final product.
- Rinse and drain your rice. It helps to remove sediment, excess starch and makes the grains less brittle.
- Use 1 1/2-1 3/4 cups water to one cup white rice and about 2 cups water to 1 cup brown rice. You can experiment with how much water you like. The more water the softer or stickier the rice will be.
- Use a heavy based pot to prevent burning and a tight fitting lid to allow steam to form.
- Let the rice sit for 5-10 minutes once cooking completes.
A few more tidbits:
- Still not comfortable? A rice cooker is the answer for perfectly cooked rice every time!
- Love the boxed rice mixes but hate all the sodium…just omit or use half of the seasoning packet to significantly cut back on the salt.
- Want rice in a pinch? Pre-cooked, frozen white and brown rice is available at the grocery store (Whole Foods and Trader Joes have it for sure).
- Rice is not just a side on your dinner plate…it’s also used in other preparations such as desserts and salads.
Try this quick and simple orange pistachio rice salad recipe for a flavorful side.
Katie Cavuto Boyle, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian, personal chef and owner of HealthyBites, LLC. See Katie’s full bio »
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that was in the old testament…we follow the new testament
MY HUSBAND & LOVE BROWN RICE, UNCLE BEN'S.!!!!!!!!!!!!111111
Exploring new grains always brings new interest to our meals. I agree that experimenting with different water proportions is the key to cooking the rice exactly as you like it. I'm a little lazy when it comes to rice and prefer to start it on the stove top and finish it in the oven. It comes out perfect every time.
Try a rice cooker. You can hardly go wrong in cooking rice .
Thanks for the new Gluten-Free choices. I am always looking to expand my grains. Making rice in the oven is super easy, especially if you are roasting a chicken.
Bamboo rice is pretty exotic. Rice infused with fresh bamboo juice. Very grassy tasting, looks pretty too. Excellent with tea smoked chicken or scallops.
So tell me why no one is commenting on CALROSE rice. This is not a brand of rice. It is a short grain asian rice that has more starch and therefor STICKY.
Whenever I get a beef or chicken bowl, this is the kind of rice they use. So I had to do some research and testing to find out why most stores ONLY SELL long grain rices.
It's all fine and dandy to have a rice that separates and is fluffy, but there are those occassions when you serve chinese or asian food that CALROSE rice really fits the bill. Not difficult to prepare.
You can get this rice at COSTCO at a bargain price.
A good article; however, when it says let it sit 5-10 minutes once cooking is complete, what are the tiime parameters for "once cooking is complete"?
Hi Joey,
Cooking is complete when the rice is tender and has absorbed all of the cooking liquid. Tip the pot to the side to check on the water, and taste a grain of rice to check on doneness.
I appreciate your help.
— On Thu, 5/20/10, IntenseDebate Notifications <notifications@intensedebatemail.com> wrote:
Does anyone have a source for exotic rice? The supermarket is pretty limited and I love to try different flavors.
thanks
try importfoods.com they have alot of Thai and Asian foods
[...] Katie’s Healthy Bites: Exotic Rices Explained: Black rice from Japan has a nutty taste almost like basmati but not quite. [I also use] Thai [...]
I s there a medium grain rice called Valencia from italy or spain? I saw Alton Brown make paeilla with it.
Hi Richard,
Yes, Valencia rice originates from the Valencia region in Spain and is classically used to make paella. If you can't find Valencia rice, you can substitute the Italian short-grain Arborito. It's typically used to make risotto, and is available in many supermarkets.