List of rice varieties

Rice is a staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in Asia and the West Indies. It is the agricultural commodity with the third-highest worldwide production, after sugarcane and maize. There are many varieties of rice and each variety has its own unique properties. This article provides a list of some of the most popular and widely used rice varieties.

Japonica Rice

Japonica rice varieties are grown in temperate climates, including Japan, Korea, and the northern regions of China. The grains are short and sticky when cooked. This type of rice is often used in dishes like sushi and risotto.

Indica Rice

Indica rice varieties are long-grained and non-sticky, grown in hot climates such as those of Southeast Asia. They are often used in dishes like biryani and pilaf.

Basmati Rice

Basmati is a variety of long, slender-grained aromatic rice which is traditionally grown in India and Pakistan. It is known for its fragrance and delicate, nuanced flavor.

Jasmine Rice

Jasmine rice, originally from Thailand, is a long-grain variety of fragrant rice. Its fragrance, reminiscent of pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius), and its slightly sweet flavor makes it a favorite in Southeast Asian cuisine.

Arborio Rice

Arborio rice is an Italian short-grain rice. It is named after the town of Arborio, in the Po Valley, where it is grown. When cooked, the rounded grains are firm, and creamy, due to the higher amylopectin starch content; making this rice variety ideal for risotto and rice pudding.

Glutinous Rice

Glutinous rice (also called sticky rice, sweet rice, or waxy rice) is a type of rice grown mainly in Southeast and East Asia, which has opaque grains, very low amylose content, and is especially sticky when cooked.

Wild Rice

Wild rice is four species of grasses forming the genus Zizania, and the grain that can be harvested from them. Despite its name, it is not directly related to Asian rice.

Black Rice

Black rice is a range of rice types, some of which are glutinous rice. Varieties include Indonesian black rice and Thai jasmine black rice.

Brown Rice

Brown rice is a whole grain rice with the inedible outer hull removed. This type of rice is high in nutrients and is often considered a healthy option.

Red Rice

Red rice varieties are deeply pigmented and contain higher nutritional value compared to white rice. This type of rice is high in fiber and has a strong, nutty flavor.

Parboiled Rice

Parboiled rice is rice that has been partially boiled in the husk. The process of parboiling drives nutrients, especially thiamin, from the bran into the grain, so that parboiled white rice is nutritionally similar to brown rice.

Wehani Rice

Wehani rice is a variety of aromatic brown rice developed by Lundberg Family Farms, based in Richvale, California. It is a registered trademark of Lundberg Family Farms, and was developed from basmati rice seeds from India.

Rice Varieties by Country

Different countries have their own varieties of rice, each with its own unique properties and uses. For example, China has the Forbidden Rice, India has the Ponni Rice, and Philippines has the Ifugao Rice.

This is a non-exhaustive food and drink related list.