Do You Know the Difference Between Glutinous Rice and Ordinary Rice?

Rice has been a staple food in Vietnamese cuisine for thousands of years, with each region cultivating different varieties. Nevertheless, not everyone is familiar with the differences and uses of these types of rice. This article will help you distinguish between the characteristics, selection, and uses of the two main types of rice: glutinous rice and ordinary rice (non-glutinous rice).

Glutinous Rice

What is Glutinous Rice?

Glutinous rice, also know as sticky rice, is short-grain rice that becomes sticky when cooked. It is harvested from glutinous rice plants, which are primarily grown in Asian countries.

Types of Glutinous Rice

Vietnam offers a diversity of glutinous rice, with notable types including “nếp cái hoa vàng” from the midlands and deltas of the North, “nếp Tú Lệ” from Yen Bai province, and the fragrance “nếp ngỗng” from the Mekong Delta.

How to Choose Glutinous Rice

To select quality glutinous rice, pay attention to the size and shape of the grains. The grains should be large, equal, glossy, and free of broken pieces. The characteristic aroma is also an essential factor.

Uses of Glutinous Rice

Glutinous rice is used to make traditional dishes like Chung cake, Tet cake, and sticky rice,… and it also finds its way into many daily meals. In addition, it can be used to brew glutinous rice wine and other culinary applications.

Ordinary Rice

What is Ordinary Rice?

Ordinary rice is a supper staple in many households’ daily meals. It is popularly used to cook rice, porridge, and various types of cakes. Ordinary rice grains are longer, smaller than glutinous rice, and have a milky white color.

Types of Ordinary Rice

There are many varieties of ordinary rice, differing in expansion, stickiness, and flavor. Popular types include Thai Jasmine rice, Tam Xoan rice,… Specially, ST25 rice is considered one of the greatest, with dry, sticky, and fragrant grains that remain soft even when cooled.

How to Choose Ordinary Rice

To select delicious ordinary rice, you need to note the following points:

• Good ordinary rice should have equal, round, and glossy grains with a mild fragrance.
• Avoid rice that is too broken, yellow, or black as this indicates old rice.
• Opt for fresh, seasonal rice, and test by biting a grain. Good rice should have a mildly sweet taste and a slightly starchy and fragrant aroma.

Uses of Ordinary Rice

Ordinary rice is a staple in Vietnamese meals, used for cooking plain rice, porridge, and various other dishes like kimbap with seaweed. It is also processed into rice flour for making noodles, rice vermicelli,…

Comparing Glutinous Rice and Non-Glutinous Rice

Criteria	Glutinous Rice	Non-Glutinous Rice
Stickiness	High stickiness	Moderate stickiness, less clumpy
Flavor	Sweet and nutty	Sweet and nutty
Calories per 100g	344 kcal	350 kcal
Color	Milky white	Milky white, slightly transparent
Shape	Long or short grains, but relatively round	Long, slender grains
Expansion when cooked	Low expansion	high expansion
Nutritional Value	Iron, fiber, antioxidants, vitamin E	Starch, protein, vitamin C, B1, niacin, calcium, iron…

Glutinous rice and ordinary rice are both popular in Vietnamese cuisine, each with unique benefits. By understanding their characteristics and how to use them, you can optimize the flavor and nutritional benefits of your meals. Choose the right type of rice to create delicious and rich dishes.

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