Discover seven different types of rice to try today
Discover seven different: Many people commonly use plain white rice, but the world of rice offers a vast variety of grains with distinct flavors, textures, and cooking uses. A chef from Hawaii, experienced in rice-based dishes, shares seven favorite rice varieties along with tips on how to cook them properly. These options range from fragrant jasmine to sticky sushi rice, each suited to different culinary needs.
1. Jasberry Rice
Jasberry rice is an organic variety grown by small-holder farmers in northern Thailand. It is known for being packed with antioxidants due to crossbreeding. This rice has a nutty and flavorful taste without the rough texture typical of some wild or forbidden rices. It is easy to cook and does not require rinsing before placing it in a rice cooker. The brown rice function on rice cookers works well for Jasberry rice, and when mixed with white sushi rice, the “mixed rice” setting is recommended.
2. Jade Pearl Rice
Produced by Lotus Foods, Jade Pearl rice is an organic short grain rice that resembles tiny freshwater pearls. It is sticky and lightly sweet, making it excellent for sushi. The rice is infused with bamboo extract, giving it a pale green color. This variety should not be rinsed before cooking to preserve its color, and it is best fluffed gently with a rice paddle after cooking. Lotus Foods now grows this rice in California.
3. Tamanishiki Rice
Tamanishiki is a super-premium short grain rice favored for making musubi, a type of rice ball. It is a hybrid of Koshihikari and Yumegokochi varieties, known for sweetness and stickiness. When cooked, Tamanishiki rice is glossy, sticky, and soft. The typical cooking ratio is one part rice to 1.5 parts water.
4. Locally Grown Rice from Blue Moon Acres
Blue Moon Acres, located near Philadelphia in New Jersey, produces organic-certified rice using regenerative Korean natural farming practices. Their varieties include medium grain, sushi, and maratelli rice. The long grain brown rice from Blue Moon Acres has a unique oatmeal-like aroma and a rustic texture due to non-uniform grains. It cooks well using the brown rice function on rice cookers or with slightly more water if that function is unavailable.
5. Germinated Brown Rice (Gaba Rice)
Germinated brown rice contains higher levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (Gaba), an amino acid associated with potential calming effects. This rice is easier to digest and can cook up sweet and sticky like short grain white rice. It is popular for pan-searing leftovers to create crunchy rice snacks. Some advanced rice cookers have a Gaba function that soaks and cooks the rice automatically. Without this feature, Gaba rice can be prepared by soaking brown rice in room temperature water for two to three days, changing the water every 8 to 12 hours.
6. ST25 Rice
ST25 is a crossbred rice variety from Sóc Trăng in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. It is known for its pandan aroma, firm and chewy grains, and higher protein content. The rice has a delicate floral fragrance that pairs well with oily fish. It cooks well with a 1:1 rice-to-water ratio on the white rice setting of rice cookers. Fluffing with a rice paddle after cooking is recommended.
7. Thai Hom Mali Rice
Also known as Milagrosa, Thai Hom Mali is a premium long grain jasmine rice. It is softer, stickier, and fluffier than ST25 rice, with a floral jasmine-pandan fragrance. This rice has a high fiber content and is excellent for absorbing spicy and saucy dishes. It uses a 1:1 rice-to-water ratio and is also well-suited for desserts such as rice pudding or mango with condensed milk.
These seven rice varieties offer a range of flavors and textures that can enhance many dishes beyond plain white rice. Using the appropriate type of rice for specific recipes can improve both taste and presentation.
