How to Choose Rice - Buying Guide
Here are some key points to consider:
- Choose among the different types of rice.
- For a healthier choice, go for brown, red, or black rice.
- Local or imported rice — take your pick.
- Check the nutrition facts label.
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
1
Choose Among the Different Types of Rice
When it comes to rice, there is more than one type. We've got long-grain, medium-grain, and short-grain. All of these kinds are great for making all kinds of dishes, from pilafs to dessert.
Long-Grain Rice Is Great for Making Pilafs and Side Dishes
Arguably the most popular type, several households use long-grain rice. As its name suggests, this kind of rice is slim and long, and when cooked, is light and very fluffy. Many prefer to use long-grain rice to make savory side dishes and pilafs because it is the most forgiving and easiest to cook.
Among the various types of rice, long-grain has a relatively low starch content, which is why it isn't sticky and does not clump up when prepared. Some examples of well-known long-grain rice that are available in the market are Basmati and Jasmine.
For Risottos and Paella, Go for Medium-Grain Rice
If you are looking for the best rice to use when cooking risottos or paellas, we recommend going for medium-grain. This type is shorter and has a higher starch content than long-grain. When freshly cooked, it comes out fluffy. But when cooled, it clumps together, though not as much as short-grain.
Medium-grain rice is also the more common type of rice found in Northeast Asian countries such as Korea and Japan. Well-known examples of medium-grain rice that are available for purchase include Valencia and Bomba.
Use Short-Grain Rice for Sushi and Desserts
For sushi and dessert lovers, short-grain rice is your best friend. This kind of rice is the shortest and chubbiest and the one with the highest starch content. That means that when cooked, it comes out sticky and clumps together, making it the best rice to eat with your hands or with chopsticks.
Short-grain is a common ingredient in many Southeast Asian sweet treats, such as sticky rice with mango and the popular Filipino dessert, biko or kakanin. Glutinous rice, a type of short-grain rice, is also a staple in many Filipino desserts. Other examples that fall under this category are Sushi and Arborio rice.
2
For a Healthier Choice, Go for Brown, Red, or Black Rice
It is a known fact that while white rice is flavorful and aromatic, it isn't the healthiest. While white rice has a longer shelf life than other kinds, it also has the husk, bran, and germ removed, which lessens its protein and fiber content. And according to this study, it is also less filling and can increase blood sugar.
That is why, for a healthier option, we recommend trying brown, red, and black rice. Though at first glance they don't seem as appetizing due to their color, they are quite flavorful and often have a nutty taste and texture. These kinds of rice are packed with fiber, protein, and antioxidants and can also help manage blood sugar.
3
Local or Imported Rice — Take Your Pick
With the Philippines being a rice country, you can purchase homegrown brands or imported ones. They do not have many differences between them in terms of aroma and flavor. However, imported rice does tend to cost more than local brands.
If you want to #SupportLocal, Doña Maria and Jordan Rice are examples of established Filipino rice brands. On the other hand, if you are interested in purchasing imported rice, you can check out Lundberg Family Farms and Mazza.
4
Check the Nutrition Facts Label
Though we've already discussed healthier rice options, another component to staying fit and well is by checking the nutritional facts label. Every food product should have this label, and in it, you will find details like serving information, calories, nutrients, and a summary of the percent daily value (%DV).
The label will tell you whether that brand of rice is rich or low in a nutrient in the form of the %DV. A 5% DV or less is low, while a 20% DV is high. We recommend going for rice with high contents of dietary fiber, vitamin B, antioxidants, and iron.
