List of rice cultivars facts for kids

Rice is a very important grain that feeds billions of people around the world! There are many different kinds of rice, and they can look, taste, and grow differently. The most common type is Asian rice, which has over 40,000 varieties! There's also African rice and wild rice.

Rice can be different in many ways, like its genetics, how long the grains are, its color, and how sticky it is. For example, some rice is grown just to make sake, a Japanese drink. Asian rice has two main types: indica and japonica. Indica rice has long grains and isn't sticky, while japonica rice has short grains and is often sticky.

Rice can also be grouped by how it's prepared. Brown rice is a whole grain because only its outer shell (called the hull) is removed. White rice has more layers removed, including the bran and germ, through a process called milling. Even though it's called "white rice," some varieties can be purple, black, or red! You can eat most rice varieties as brown or white, but different cultures often prefer one type over another.

Rice from North America

Many kinds of rice are grown in North America. Some are traditional types, and others are special varieties developed for the region.

California Rice

California grows several unique rice types.

• Calrose rice
• Nishiki rice
• Wehani rice

Canadian Rice

Canada is known for its wild rice.

• Northern Wild rice (also called Canadian Wild rice, Zizania palustris)

Carolina Rice

In the Carolinas, you can find special varieties.

• Carolina Gold
• Charleston Gold

Louisiana Rice

Louisiana also has its own rice varieties.

• Blue Rose
• Pecan rice
• Popcorn rice

Texas Rice

Texas grows some interesting rice types.

• Texas rice
• Texas wild rice (Zizania texana)

Rice from Africa

Africa has its own special rice varieties, some of which are very old.

• Abakaliki rice
  • This rice grows in Nigeria.
  • It's known for being sweet and easy to cook.
• African rice
• New Rice for Africa (NERICA)
  • This is a special type of rice created to grow well in Africa.
• Ofada rice
  • Grown in Nigeria, this rice has a nice smell.

Rice from Australia

Australia also grows different kinds of rice.

• Doongara: A long-grain rice that cooks up firm.
• Illabong: An Arborio-style rice, good for creamy dishes.
• Koshihikari: A short-grain rice, popular in Japan.
• Kyeema: A long-grain rice that smells good.
• Reiziq: A medium-grain rice.

Rice from Bangladesh

Bangladesh has many local rice varieties, some of which are very old.

• Bashmoti Rice
• Chinigura Rice: A small, fragrant rice.
• Kalijira Rice: Another aromatic rice, often called "baby basmati."
• Tolsi Mala Dhan: An aromatic rice from the Sherpur district.

Rice from Bhutan

Bhutan is famous for its unique red rice.

• Bhutanese red rice: This rice has a reddish-brown color and a nutty taste.

Rice from Cambodia

Cambodia is known for its fragrant jasmine rice.

• Cammalis: An extra-long jasmine rice.
• Phka Khnhei: A fragrant variety, its name means "flower ginger."
• Phkar Malis: Cambodia's famous Jasmine Rice.
• Phka Romdul: This rice has won awards for being very good.

Rice from China

China has a long history of growing rice, including some unique types.

• Black Asian rice: A dark-colored rice.
• Manchurian Wild rice (Zizania latifolia): A type of wild rice.
• Ponlai [ja]: A popular type of rice in Taiwan.

Rice from the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic grows several rice varieties.

• Cristal 100
• Juma 57
• Prosequisa 4

Rice from France

France has a special red rice.

• Camargue red rice: Grown in the Camargue region of France, it has a distinct red color.

Rice from Greece

Greece also cultivates different rice types.

• Blue Rose
• Carolina
• Parboiled: Rice that has been partly boiled in its husk.

Rice from India

India has an incredible number of rice varieties, with thousands found across the country.

• Ambemohar: An aromatic rice from Maharashtra.
• Basmati rice: Famous for its long grains and fragrant smell.
• Gobindobhog: A short-grain aromatic rice from West Bengal.
• Ponni Rice: A popular medium-grain rice from Tamil Nadu.
• Sona Masuri: A light and aromatic rice, often used in South Indian dishes.

Rice from Punjab and Haryana

These regions are well-known for growing Basmati rice.

• Traditional Basmati Rice
• PUSA Basmati Rice: A modern type of Basmati.
• Sugandha Rice: A fragrant non-Basmati rice.

Rice from Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is home to many rice varieties.

• Sona masoori (also called Bangaru Theegalu)
• Swarna: A popular non-Basmati rice.

Rice from Karnataka

Karnataka has a mix of traditional, medicinal, and scented rice.

• Rajamudi: A traditional rice specific to Karnataka.
• Navara: A medicinal rice, originally from Kerala.
• Gandhsale: A scented aromatic rice.

Rice from Kerala

Kerala is known for its unique rice varieties, including some with medicinal uses.

• Matta Palakkad: A reddish, parboiled rice popular in Kerala.
• Gandhakasala and Jeerakasala: Aromatic rice varieties from Wayanad.
• Njavara: A special medicinal rice.
• Pokkali Rice: A salt-tolerant rice grown in coastal areas.

Rice from Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has a rich collection of rice varieties, many with unique names.

• Kullakaar: A traditional short-grain rice.
• Mappillai Samba: A red rice, traditionally given to grooms for strength.
• Seeraga Samba: A very small, aromatic rice, often used in biryani.
• Thooyamallee: A traditional white rice.

Rice from Telangana

Telangana has its own local rice types.

• Indur Samba
• RNR 15048 (also called Telangana Sona or Karnataka Sona)

Rice from West Bengal

West Bengal has thousands of rice varieties, though only a few hundred are commonly grown.

• Gobindabhog: A short-grain, aromatic rice.
• Tulaipanji: A fragrant rice from North Bengal.
• Basmati-370: A type of Basmati rice.

Rice from Indonesia

Indonesia has many rice varieties, especially for wet and dry fields.

• Cianjur Pandanwangi: An aromatic rice from West Java.
• Rajalele: A semi-aromatic rice.
• Temanggung black rice: A dark-colored rice.

Rice from Iran

Iran cultivates several types of rice, often named after the regions they are grown in.

• Domsiah: A popular fragrant rice.
• Gerdeh: A round-grain rice.
• Tarom: A well-known aromatic rice.

Rice from Italy

Italy is famous for its rice used in dishes like risotto.

• Arborio: A short-grain rice, very starchy, perfect for creamy risotto.
• Carnaroli: Another high-quality rice for risotto, known for keeping its shape.
• Maratelli: A historical variety of rice.
• Vialone Nano: A medium-grain rice, also great for risotto.
• Venere: A black aromatic specialty rice.

Rice from Japan

Japan has many types of rice, including those for eating and for making sake.

Non-glutinous Rice

These are common table rice varieties.

• Akitakomachi
• Hinohikari
• Hitomebore
• Koshihikari: One of the most popular and high-quality Japanese rice types.
• Sasanishiki: Another well-known Japanese rice.

Rice for Sake Production

Special rice varieties are grown to make sake (Japanese rice wine).

• Gohyakumangoku [ja]
• Omachi [ja]
• Yamada Nishiki: Considered the "king" of sake rice.

Glutinous Rice

This rice becomes very sticky when cooked.

• Dewanomochi
• Koganemochi

Aromatic Rice

These varieties have a pleasant smell.

• Haginokaori
• Sawakaori

Red Rice

These rice types have a reddish color.

• Akamuro
• Benisarasa

Black Rice

These varieties are dark in color.

• Asamurasaki
• Murasakinomai

Rice from Malaysia

Malaysia has developed many of its own rice varieties.

White Rice

• Malinja
• Mahsuri
• MR 219
• MR 220

Glutinous Rice

• Pulut Malaysia 1

Black Glutinous Rice

• Pulut Hitam 9

Red Rice

• MRM 16

Fragrant Rice

• MRQ 50 (Puteri)
• MRQ 74 (Maswangi)

Rice from Nepal

Nepal has unique rice varieties, including some from high altitudes.

• Basmati
• Jumli Marshi: A special rice grown in the high mountains of Jumla.
• Kalopatle
• Pokhareli Jethobudho: An aromatic rice from Pokhara.

Rice from Pakistan

Pakistan is a major producer of Basmati rice.

• Basmati PK-370
• Basmati 2000
• Super Basmati: A very popular and high-quality Basmati.
• Irri-6 Non Basmati Long Grain Rice: A common non-Basmati type.

Rice from the Philippines

The Philippines has many traditional and modern rice varieties.

• Balatinaw: An heirloom black rice from Mountain Province.
• Dinorado: A fragrant white rice.
• Pirurutong: A purple glutinous rice.
• Sinandomeng: A popular white rice.
• Tapol: A white glutinous rice.

Rice from Portugal

Portugal grows several rice varieties.

• Ariete
• Carolino: A soft, absorbent rice, good for traditional Portuguese dishes.

Rice from Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a variety of rice types, including red and white.

• Kaluheenati: A traditional black rice.
• Keeri Samba: A small, fine-grained rice.
• Samba: A popular type of rice in Sri Lanka.
• Suwandhel: An aromatic white rice.

Rice from Spain

Spain is known for its rice used in dishes like paella.

• Albufera: A premium round rice.
• Bahia: Another pearly round rice.
• Bomba: A highly prized round rice that absorbs a lot of liquid, perfect for paella.
• Senia: A pearly round rice.

Rice from Taiwan

Taiwan has its own unique rice varieties.

• Penglai Rice [zh]: A common type of rice in Taiwan.
• Taichung 65

Rice from Thailand

Thailand is famous for its fragrant jasmine rice.

• Black glutinous rice
• Jasmine rice: Known for its wonderful smell and soft texture.
• Red Cargo rice: A type of red rice.
• Riceberry: A dark purple rice, known for being healthy.
• White glutinous rice

Rice from Vietnam

Vietnam has many important rice varieties, including some award-winning types.

• Dự Hương Rice
• Nàng Thơm Chợ Đào Rice: A fragrant rice grown in Long An province.
• Nếp cẩm Rice: A black glutinous rice.
• ST25 Rice: This rice was named the world's best rice in 2019! It's known for being long-grained, fragrant, and very tasty.