Basic Types of Rice
3 of 11 in Series: The Essentials of Making Sushi at Home
Although you don’t need to memorize every type of rice on the planet (there are thousands), get acquainted with the five basic types of rice common to cooking today:
Converted or parboiled rice: Basic white rice used for home cooking in much of the Western world; medium to long grain.
Long-grain rice: Includes the Indian basmati.
Short-grain rice: The family of Italian Arborio rice, used to make risotto; also used in sushi.
Wild rice: Not really rice at all. Wild rice is a remote relative of white rice, actually a long-grain, aquatic grass.
Brown rice: Healthful, unrefined rice (that means it still has the bran and germ that are removed from white rice) with a slightly nutty flavor.
Rice is a versatile grain used for main dishes, side dishes, or as a base for other ingredients. Each type has its textural and flavor differences, so experiment with them to find the ones that suit your dishes (and your tastes).