A Dish's Success Hinges on the Right Stickiness
Even though it's all rice, different starch compositions give each type a different stickiness β using a sticky rice like arborio for risotto, and a light, fluffy rice like basmati or jasmine for fried rice, makes a big difference in how the finished dish turns out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is sushi rice different from regular rice?
It's short, round-grained, and higher in starch, which lets the grains clump together well once mixed with vinegar β exactly what's needed to hold a piece of sushi together.
Do brown rice and white rice cook differently?
Brown rice still has its bran layer intact, so it needs to absorb more water and generally takes longer to cook than white rice.