Rice is a staple food and the basis of many delicious dishes all around the world. But with so many different kinds of rice to choose from, it can be baffling for a new cook to know which rice works best for which dishes. If that’s you, here’s a simple guide to understanding different kinds of rice and what you can do with them.
Arborio Rice
Arborio rice is naturally thick, creamy and starchy. This makes it perfect for rich dishes like risotto, Thai curries, and pudding.
Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is usually found in Indian, Middle Eastern, and central Asian cuisine. Holding a strong fragrance, it’s great in curries and spicy fried rice dishes.
Bomba Rice
Bomba rice is grown in Spain. It’s very absorbent, which means it requires a lot of water for cooking but really soaks up the flavor. It’s often used in paella, also known as Spanish rice.
Brown Rice
Brown rice is healthier than most varieties of white rice. It has much more fiber, a nuttier flavor, and contains higher levels of vitamins and minerals.
Sticky Rice
Sticky rice is usually found in South-eastern and East Asian dishes. Its high gluten content means that it sticks together when cooked. It’s great at soaking in flavor and is often found with Thai or Indonesian curries, and of course sushi!
