Rice is a popular food staple and various types grow all over the world with a myriad of different textures and colors. If you’re visiting a restaurant or trying to plan meals for your own household, you may have some trouble figuring out what type of rice you’re about to eat or what rice would work best for a recipe. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to identify different types of rice by giving them a careful look.
StepsMethod 1Method 1 of 3:Classifying Short-Grain Rice
1Recognize glutinous rice as a really sticky variety of white rice. Keep in mind that glutinous rice grains are both small and absorbent, and they have a tendency to stick to other grains of rice. You’ll likely find this type of rice in really thick recipes like porridge or rice balls. This rice doesn’t have a super distinct aroma, and it works well in a lot of different dishes.XGlutinous rice is a popular option in a lot of dessert recipes.
2Pinpoint sushi rice by its oval grains and slight stickiness when cooked. Note that sushi rice is fairly opaque when it’s raw, and gets a little sticky after it’s been cooked. Unlike glutinous rice, sushi rice doesn’t have a thick, porridge-like consistency. As the name suggests, you’ll likely find sushi rice as the base for a lot of sushi dishes.XSushi rice has a good structure without losing its shape.This rice isn’t known for having a special aroma.
3Classify purple grains of rice as black rice. Also known as “forbidden rice,” you can find black rice in specialty marketplaces and certain side dishes, like pilaf. The grains are straight instead of oval-shaped and become firm but slightly soft when cooked. Note that this rice is black when it’s raw, and purple after it’s cooked.XBlack rice is a popular option for some side dishes. If you notice any purple grains of rice in your pilaf, it’s likely black rice.This type of rice isn’t known for having a distinct aroma.
4Spot sweet brown rice by its small, translucent grains. Note that sweet brown rice is a similar color to regular brown rice, but is a lot smaller and rounder. These grains will stick together once they’re cooked, unlike longer grains of brown rice.XThis rice tends to lose a distinct texture after it’s cooked.Method 2Method 2 of 3:Spotting Medium-Grain Rice
1Note that Arborio rice is a chewy rice used in creamy dishes. Look for shorter, oval-shaped grains of white rice. After it’s cooked, keep in mind that Arborio rice becomes really sticky and creamy, which makes it a popular option for a lot of dessert dishes. Since it’s so sticky, it’s easy to confuse with glutinous (sticky) rice.XIf you’re enjoying a risotto or rice pudding dish, you’re likely eating Arborio rice.
Did You Know? All rice varieties are a lot darker while they’re growing in rice paddies. White rice is so light because the bran portion of the grain is removed.X
2Classify Valencia rice as white and spherical. Also known as Bomba rice, you can identify Valencia rice apart by its especially smaller, round grains.X This type of rice can absorb a lot of water, and won’t always stick together after it’s cooked. As a chewier rice, you can use it successfully in risotto dishes, where it blends it well with the other flavors and aromas of the recipe.XA lot of paella dishes are made with Valencia or Bomba rice.
3Identify Kalijira rice by its thin, longer grains. Kalijira rice can be a bit tricky to label, as it looks similar to regular basmati rice, along with other types of white rice. As another rice from India, you’ll likely find this in a variety of Indian dishes. This rice can be pretty firm and is a good contender for side dishes like pilaf.XKalijira is considered medium-grain rice and isn’t as long as basmati.Method 3Method 3 of 3:Identifying Long-Grain Rice
1Distinguish regular white rice by its fluffy texture. Keep in mind that white is popular in long-grain form, but can also come in medium- and short-grain varieties. This is a really generic type of rice, and you can find it easily in most grocery stores.XWhite rice has a soft, fluffy texture without being overly sticky.
2Spot brown rice by its distinct color and thicker texture. Search in your local supermarket for brown rice, which is a very common alternative to white rice. Keep in mind that this rice can come in a long-, medium-, or short-grain variety and tends to be light and fluffy when they’re cooked. Generally, long-grain brown rice is about 5 times long as it is wide, while medium-grain brown rice is only 2-3 times long as it is wide.XShort-grain brown rice has a similar shape to sushi rice but is identical in color to other types of brown rice.Short- and medium-grain brown rice is more likely to stick together than long-grain brown rice.
3Recognize basmati rice as a long rice used in a lot of hearty dishes. If you’ve enjoyed Indian food before, you’ve likely seen or tasted basmati rice. Note that this rice tends to be an off-white or tan color, and the grains are really skinny. In many cases, you’ll find basmati rice as the base for a curry dish or pilaf recipe.X Basmati rice also has a unique, sweet aroma.XBasmati rice comes from India, which is why it’s such a staple in Indian cuisine.
4Identify jasmine rice by its long, white grains. If you enjoy Thai or Cambodian food, you’ve probably seen or eaten jasmine rice at one point or another. Note that this rice is slightly sticky, similar to generic white rice, but is more common in specialty dishes.X Like basmati, jasmine rice is also known for its slightly sweet aroma, which is distinctive from a lot of other rice types.XIn a lot of recipes, jasmine rice is steamed, though it can be prepared in a variety of ways.XSome people prefer to make rice balls with jasmine rice.
5Note that wild rice has longer, darker grains. Wild rice is actually a misleading name—despite popular belief, it’s actually a grass with a texture and appearance similar to rice. You can identify wild rice by its really dark coloring, along with its tougher consistency.X This “rice” tends to smell like tea leaves, and has a nutty flavor after it’s cooked.XWild rice is a popular ingredient in soups, dressings, and side dishes.
6Pinpoint red rice by its distinctive red color. Also known as “Himalayan red rice,” note this variety has a unique copper tone instead of the light brown shade of other rice grains. Unlike other types of rice, keep in mind that red rice has a nuttier flavor.XRed rice can be used in a variety of dishes, like salad or pudding.
Did You Know? Some rice varieties are cultivated and created by certain farms. For instance, Lundberg Family Farms created a light, copper-colored type of rice known as Wehani rice.
