Whether you want to venture into Japanese cooking, or just want to make sushi for a party. And of course dreaming of another trip to Japan to hike mountain trails and eat her favorite street food Okonomiyaki. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. I'm Nami, a Japanese home cook based in San Francisco. It’s typically the sort of rice that’s easy to eat with hands or chopsticks because you don’t have to pick it up piece by piece. In the majority of Asian cultures, when we say sticky rice, it is typically referring to glutinous rice or sweet rice. You can also try Korean short grain brown rice. Use of this website is subject to mandatory arbitration and other terms and conditions, select. So when you keep it, it’s best to put in airtight container. Indica grains shatter more easily and have 23-31% amylose content. What types of rice are used in Japanese cuisine? Looking forward to hear from you. It is also common where medium-and short-grain rice get combined into the same category, which can make for some confusion. Still, it’s much more like white than brown rice. Hi Alan! You can read more about the history here. So you can enjoy it with everyday Japanese meal. While the above are the most common types of rice for risotto, you can really use any type of medium- or short-grain rice to make the dish in a pinch — even sushi rice would work if that’s what you happen to have in the pantry and you can’t make it to the store. Now, the rice tastes the best after freshly milled, so I recommend to buy rice as you need it and don’t keep stock the rice. It is the daily staple, a source of cultural identity, a driving force of the Japanese economy, and the fundamental element of Japanese cuisine. Hope this helps! Recently I tried “investing” in some quality Japanese exported rice-the Fuji brand and the Nishiki brand that are both pictured in your article. Also, what adjustments would you suggest for cooking time. We included how to cook rice in the article above, which you can refer. Let us know if you have any questions. Buying directly from producers often involves a very expensive shipping charge. Korean also cook with different variety of rice such as half milled rice, black rice, mixed grain rice etc. ©2020 Just One Cookbook, All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 1/1/20) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 1/1/20) and Your California Privacy Rights. There’s another brand of Korean rice I like, but I can’t read the label…. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. When cooked, the grains stay separate, making it … I’m currently cooking my long-grain rice using the microwave. The moment I saw your question and User-10379356208670776632’s answer to it, the first time I got to know this existence, “jasmine rice”. They are not true Japanese rice, but they have a well-balanced flavor with moderate stickiness and are robust enough that most people and Japanese restaurants in the US use it for sushi and other Japanese dishes. Whether you want to venture into Japanese cooking, or just want to make sushi for a party, the first steps are to learn the basics of rice. Cultivated rice, which includes black and brown varieties, are all said to originate from the genus Oryza over 10,000 years ago. I’m just wondering if it is possible to cook the Japanese white rice (short or medium-grain) with a microwave? Let’s get to it! I am a diabetic, so eating genmai is better than uruchimai for me. Very nice, and is from California. And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram for all the latest updates. Medium-grain rice is shorter and moister than long grain but not quite as starchy as short. It’s definitely my favorite of all the types I’ve tried. Examples of long grains include Jasmine rice, Basmati rice, Mexican rice, traditional American long-grain white or brown rice, and European-grown style of rice. The Right Rice-To-Water Ratio Hope that helps! … Lundberg Family Farms actually test their rice and publish the results on their website. Where stickiness and viscosity is the point—like for creamy rice pudding, sushi that can prop up a piece of fish, or coconut sticky rice—short-grain rice is key. The Japanese most favor Japonica’s two varieties are Akita Komachi and Koshihikari whereas indica’s two varieties are well-known Basmati and Jasmine. Will you be able to share the instructions on how to do so if it is possible? Toss (don’t stir) with hot, cooked rice in a glass (not metal) bowl using a plastic spoon. © 2020 Condé Nast. The large Asian grocery near me has mostly Chinese prepared products, cookware, and snacks. A cup of raw rice yields about 3 1/3 cups of cooked rice. Have fun exploring the 700+ classic & modern Japanese recipes I share with step-by-step photos and How-To YouTube videos. Which Japanese rice has the least amount of arsenic in it? Joking…) Can you give some tips on storing uncooked rice without a refridgerator? More from Reese →. It is only when you are using the rice for sushi, you will then ‘sushi rice’ or sumeshi by seasoning the cooked Japanese rice with vinegar, salt, and sugar. I really love haiga mai. Thank you! Hi Steve – Thank you so much for commenting. While Japonica rice features round and thick grains, the Indica rice has longer and thinner grains. When cooked, the grains are tender, moist, slightly chewy and they tend to stick together a bit. I wonder what’s the difference between Japanese rice and korean rice. Is sushi rice the same as regular Japanese rice? Thank you for the information. For stovetop method, you can get the cooking instruction from their website. Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova, Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova, Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Photo by TED + CHELSEA CAVANAUGH, Food Styling by Simon Andrews. I looked up the “Koshihikari” short grain rice but it is almost twice as expensive! They are s hort grain cultivars of Japonica rice and come with the same natural sticky texture once cooked. There are red rices, often off-types of equivalent white rices; and black and purple rices, also very closely related to their white cousins. Glad to hear that you found the article useful. The good news is that with a fairly rudimentary understanding of how rice is classified, you can pick the type of rice that’s right for the job and make a pot of whatever type you chose. Lucky you, Lion:) That’s what they say ‘if you found the good stuff, stick to it’. Starch is itself composed of amylose and amylopectin. Lundberg has always known for their quality rice, so it would make a healthy choice. We provide recommendations so you get to make the choices based on your needs/ budget/ preferences. The two main varieties of black rice found in the market are Indonesian black rice and Thai jasmine black rice. Yes, we’ve tried it. Cook 2 cups rice in 3 cups water for 15 minutes. Heat 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a small pan until salt and sugar are dissolved. Perhaps you clicked on a differnt link? I’ve lived in Japan and had some amazing kome there. ), they should come out light and dry, with distinct grains, making it the best choice for pilaf, biryani, mujadara, tachin—essentially, any place where the goal is individual, discrete grains that won’t stick to your utensil or hands. Use quality rice if you want good quality sushi. If you have more questions regarding Japanese rice or sushi rice, let us know in the comment section below. Your email address will not be published. Moisture is not good for rice. That’s the kind of rice grown in Japan. Wild Rice. It’s a bit expensive, but our Japanese markets have sales from time to time …. I agree, it’s a really good deal and I like to buy rice that time too. Calrose rice refers to the medium grain rice that is grown in California. Short-grain rice is short and plump, and is only a tiny bit longer than it is wide. You can give a few of the rice brands above a try. However, my Japanese niece from Hawai`i introduced us to Tamaki Gold … this is the authentic koshihikari rice I had in Japan. Rice Cookers Are Not Made Equal Most basic rice cookers in Singapore are made for cooking Jasmine rice and while it may do a cursory job with Japanese short grain rice, the best results can only be achieved using made-in-Japan rice cookers manufactured by brands such as Hitachi, Tiger or Zojirushi. Japonica rice varieties are, for the most part, short- to medium-grained, with very little overt aroma and a distinctly sticky texture when cooked, due to their relatively high amylopectin content. You can always check with your local Japanese/ Asian grocery stores for the shipment of their freshest new crop rice. For Japanese cuisine, you can find 2 basic forms of rice that are prevalent and both are considered short grain cultivars of Japonica rice. LUNDBERG BLACK JAPONICA RICE A combination of medium-grain mahogany rice and short-grain black rice. The significance of rice in Japanese culture cannot be overstated. Developed by the Japanese-American in 1948, they have been used as a reasonably convenient and inexpensive rice of choice for many years in the US. Wild Rice. In the US, I always associated Botan/Nishiki/Kohuko Rose as “standard” Japanese rice .. they are very nice, medium grained rice and are very tasty. Japanese short grain rice is very different from any kind of long grain rice – including jasmine rice as well. This post may contain affiliate links. Very good quality rice. Alternatively, you can buy Japanese rice from online grocery stores or Amazon. Mochigome is so much stickier, chewier and glutinous compared to the regular Japanese short grain rice. In the US and perhaps some other Western countries, you’d find Japanese rice have been referred to as ‘sticky rice’ by some people due to its sticky texture. It all comes down to personal preferences over brands and the origin of cultivation. It is the daily staple, a source of cultural identity, a driving force of the Japanese economy, and the fundamental element of Japanese cuisine. I think I’ll cover the topic on another post, with the recipe. 40,000! I think I got less than 10 cups! Where can I find a shop that sells Japanese rices in New Jersey? Golden Rice Box Cambodia Premium Jasmine Rice. Cooking advice that works. In Japan, it is known as, In fact, the regular Japanese rice is commonly cooked plain for everyday meals, whether it is for. Thank you for the great information you provide and for making it easy to understand; learning a lot. Black rice is the name of a range of rice that belongs to the Oryza sativa L. species. Indica Rice (Oryza sativa var. Hi David – Great that you brought up haiga rice! The differences are where the rice is cultivated and how the Japanese and Korean prepare them. If you have a Whole Foods near by, some of the brown rice would work. Hi Roy! Mainly cultivated in South and Southeast Asia, long grain rice has the lowest starch content, resulting in dry grains that don’t cling to each other like other types of rice.. Jasmine rice has a light floral aroma and chewy texture, and is the primary rice for Thai dishes alongside curries, meat and fish meals. Also, in Japan, rice should be consumed in 2 months in winter and 1 month in spring/ fall. Although we’ve heard from people who have no issue with the outcome of using Jasmine rice for sushi, it really doesn’t give you the right flavor and texture for making sushi. I do know about the Lundberg quality. Sushi rice is steamed Japanese rice that is flavored with vinegar-based seasonings and it’s only used for making sushi. Which of their white rices would be the closest to “Japanese” rice? That means you can definitely use either one when cooking Japanese or Korean dishes. And now for the moment you've all been waiting for... Not a great idea. Fragrant rices such as jasmine rice and basmati rice fall into this category. hort grain cultivars of Japonica rice and come with the same natural sticky texture once cooked. Hi Cameron, We do have a page on where to buy Japanese/ Asian ingredients online. Together with Department of Agriculture and its hybrid rice program, SLAC strives to pursue its vision of a rice self-sufficient and hunger-free Philippines. You’ll find these rices commonly used in a variety of Middle Eastern and Indian dishes. With about 18% amylose content, jasmine rice is soft, slightly sweet, and somewhat sticky, much like California medium grain japonica rice, while the subtle floral aroma is unique to jasmine. That’s the rice you use to make sushi, rice balls and everyday Japanese dishes. Buy the amount as you need it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is … When cooked, the rice stays fluffy yet firm, and the grains are separated and it is not sticky at all. Originally from Penang, Malaysia, Reese lives in Minnesota with her husband and their baby boy. Japonica varies in size from medium grain size/short grain size while indica is only long grain rice. Since ‘sticky rice’ does not have a definite meaning but more of a convenient term or casual name to describe specific rice that is sticky, the usage gets muddled in different cultural contexts. If you’re not sure, start with a small bag first and then switch over to the brown sushi rice, then decide. Compared with other types of rice, black rice is one of the highest in protein (3, 4, 5, 6).. It looks like rice and grows like rice but, botanically speaking, wild rice is not rice at all. This indica species of rice grows best in tropical zones like China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, and North East India. Japonica rice. Do you have any favorite brands of Japanese rice that is not mentioned in the article? Hi David – New crop is just a label the rice producer use on their packaging to tell you that the rice is the first crop of the season to be harvested. The unique stickiness of Japanese rice is what makes good sushi and defines the character of Japanese cuisine. Spent a number of years in Okinawa and miss a lot of the dishes I use to enjoy. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Best rice cooker and so easy! But it’s actually not rice! This rice is known for its ability to absorb flavor. There’s a huge Asian community in NJ, so you should not have any issues locating them. Anyhow, here is the link to how to cook rice on the stove: https://www.justonecookbook.com/how-to-cook-rice/. Rice is an annual crop, but there are some perennial wild rice varieties. They are roughly 4-5 times as long as they are wide, and they are the most commonly used rice. You can read more about, Since you can easily buy Japanese rice online or on Amazon these days, our best recommendation is to buy a small bag and use it for your sushi and any other regular meals like. Don’t miss out our helpful tutorial posts below: Click to learn how to cook perfect Japanese rice with rice cooker, Click to learn how to cook perfect Japanese rice over the stove, Click to learn how to cook Japanese rice in an Instant Pot. Hi Peg – glad to hear you cook with a Donabe! Cook it like Wehani rice… Even though jasmine and basmati rice are often used interchangeably, there are some differences between these two types of rice that you should know about. The length of the grain is indicative of the texture of the cooked rice and, consequently, its traditional preparation and use. I am often tempted to try another variety, as there are many other types sold there from time to time, but I have not liked any other varieties as much as it, so I’m at the point where I just stick with what I like. Another option is Gaba rice which you can find on Amazon. For more affordable choices, you can try California-grown medium grain or hybrid variety that is widely available in the U.S. Botan Calrose, Nishiki, and Kokuho Rose are some of the standard brands out there. We know that each of the varieties has its own goodness but if we look at the health advantages between the White Jasmine rice and the Brown rice, then it would be the latter. The grains of long-grain rice can be recognized immediately by its lengthy and cylindrical-shaped appearance. If you wish for an authentic sushi, we do not recommend using jasmine rice as a substitute for sushi. ; Chubby, round, and starchy, the cooked grains glom together in sticky clumps. Examples of medium-grain rice include Bomba rice (used in Paella), Arborio rice, and most of the Asian-style rice such as Chinese-style rice. They are roughly 4-5 times as long as they are wide, and they are the most commonly used rice. Choose white rice over brown rice – it is the rice bran that holds most of its arsenic. Available in a delicious white rice form or a healthier brown rice version, Doña Maria Jasponica rice provides you with a soft, flavorful taste. SLAC is the first local company to export high quality rice to Middle East, USA, and Australia. Just as peanuts aren’t actually nuts, precisely is the case with wild rice, which is actually … Japonica Rice vs Indica Rice. japonica), sometimes called sinica rice, is one of the two major domestic varieties of Asian rice.Japonica rice is extensively cultivated and consumed in China, Japan, and Korea, whereas in most other regions indica rice [] is the dominant type of rice. Please read my disclosure policy for details. [citation needed] It has greater health benefits than white jasmine rice because it still has the bran.Brown jasmine rice has a flavor like oats and contains gamma oryzanol which can decrease cholesterol in blood vessels. Rice is broadly divided into three categories based on grain length—long, medium, and short.