Rice is the most ![]()
commonly consumed food in the world. In the US alone, we consume around five million
metric tons of rice annually!
Yet, most Americans don’t know the difference between the various types of rice. The two main types of
rice plants are indica and japonica. Indica includes long grain rice, and japonic includes medium and
short grain rice.
In this guide, we are comparing long grain vs. short grain rice to help you learn more about the world’s
most popular food.
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What Is Long Grain Rice?
Long grain rice is a type of rice with a length that is anywhere from three to five times longer than its
width. Common types of long grain rice include basmati, jasmine, and, the ![]()
healthiest rice to eat brown rice.
When cooked, long grain rice tends to be somewhat dry and less starchy. That means the individual
grains will not stick together too much, making long grain rice the perfect choice for beginner cooks or
rice makers.
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What Is Short Grain Rice?
Short grain rice is a type of rice with grains that look somewhat round since their length is less than
twice as long as their width. Arborio, carnaroli, and bomba rice are three common types of short grain
rice.
This is the type of rice used to make sticky rice because its high starch content makes the individual
grains stick together. The high starch content does not make it a healthy rice option, especially for
people on a low-starch diet.
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Long Grain vs. Short Grain Rice
You may think you can use long and short grain rice interchangeably, but for best rice results, each type
should be used based on its unique properties. Grain size and texture make each type best suited to
particular types of dishes.
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Grain Size
Long and short grain rice are named for the length of their grains. Long grain rice is three to four times
as long as they are wide. Meanwhile, short grain rice is usually less than twice as long as its width.
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Rice Texture
Long and short grain rice have different amounts of starch in their grains, which affects their texture.
Short grain rice is high in starch, making it very soft and sticky once cooked. On the other hand, long
grain rice is relatively lower in starch, making for a lighter and fluffier texture and separated grains.
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Common Uses
The unique textures of long and short grain rice make them better suited to different uses. Long grain
rice is best for savory stir-fries, pilafs, and bowls, but short grain rice works well for sweet and savory
dishes.
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Find More Food Facts
The difference in long grain vs. short grain rice comes down to size, texture, and use. Long grain rice is
longer, fluffier, and won’t stick to the pan when whipping up a stir fry. Short grain rice is starchier and
stickier, perfect for sticky rice and rice pudding.
Want to learn more about common foods you may not know much about? We have other articles like this
one waiting for you on our blog, so check them out!
