🍚 Rice Vocab
Rice names can describe the grain’s length, texture, stickiness, or what it is best used for. Long-grain rice tends to stay separate when cooked, while short-grain rice is often softer and stickier. Some names describe a specific variety, while others are labels for how the rice is processed or prepared. The names below are the ones you’ll find on grocery bags and in recipes.
🌸 Aromatic Long Grain
🇮🇳 Basmati Rice
long, slender, fragrant grains that stay separate
Example: Basmati for biryani. Jasmine would be too soft and clingy.
🇫🇷 French: Riz basmati
🇩🇪 German: Basmati-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso basmati
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz basmati
💡 Nuance: The dry, popcorn-scented long grain. Jasmine is the other perfume rice, softer and slightly stickier.
long, slender, fragrant grains that stay separate
Example: Basmati for biryani. Jasmine would be too soft and clingy.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz basmati🇫🇷 French: Riz basmati
🇩🇪 German: Basmati-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso basmati
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz basmati
💡 Nuance: The dry, popcorn-scented long grain. Jasmine is the other perfume rice, softer and slightly stickier.
🇹🇭 Jasmine Rice
aromatic long grain - soft, a little floral
Example: Jasmine next to Thai curry. Basmati would feel drier and longer.
🇫🇷 French: Riz jasmin
🇩🇪 German: Jasminreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso jasmine
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz jasmim
💡 Nuance: Long grain that clings a little. Not sushi rice. Not basmati.
aromatic long grain - soft, a little floral
Example: Jasmine next to Thai curry. Basmati would feel drier and longer.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz jazmín🇫🇷 French: Riz jasmin
🇩🇪 German: Jasminreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso jasmine
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz jasmim
💡 Nuance: Long grain that clings a little. Not sushi rice. Not basmati.
🇮🇹 Risotto Rice
🍚 Arborio Rice
short-grain Italian rice that turns creamy when stirred
Example: Arborio is the supermarket risotto rice. It can go a little soft.
🇫🇷 French: Riz arborio
🇩🇪 German: Arborio-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso Arborio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz arborio
💡 Nuance: Cream from starch, not from cream. Carnaroli stays firmer. Neither is paella rice.
short-grain Italian rice that turns creamy when stirred
Example: Arborio is the supermarket risotto rice. It can go a little soft.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz arborio🇫🇷 French: Riz arborio
🇩🇪 German: Arborio-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso Arborio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz arborio
💡 Nuance: Cream from starch, not from cream. Carnaroli stays firmer. Neither is paella rice.
🥇 Carnaroli Rice
Italian short grain that stays firm while turning creamy
Example: Cooks who fuss over risotto often buy carnaroli instead of arborio.
🇫🇷 French: Riz carnaroli
🇩🇪 German: Carnaroli-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso Carnaroli
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz carnaroli
💡 Nuance: The "king" label in shops. Same job as arborio, better bite.
Italian short grain that stays firm while turning creamy
Example: Cooks who fuss over risotto often buy carnaroli instead of arborio.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz carnaroli🇫🇷 French: Riz carnaroli
🇩🇪 German: Carnaroli-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso Carnaroli
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz carnaroli
💡 Nuance: The "king" label in shops. Same job as arborio, better bite.
⚪ Vialone Nano
short-grain Italian rice for creamy risotto, especially in the Veneto
Example: Vialone nano drinks broth fast. Good for a wetter risotto.
🇫🇷 French: Vialone nano
🇩🇪 German: Vialone Nano
🇮🇹 Italian: Vialone nano
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Vialone nano
💡 Nuance: Third risotto name. Smaller grain than arborio. Still not sushi rice.
short-grain Italian rice for creamy risotto, especially in the Veneto
Example: Vialone nano drinks broth fast. Good for a wetter risotto.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Vialone nano🇫🇷 French: Vialone nano
🇩🇪 German: Vialone Nano
🇮🇹 Italian: Vialone nano
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Vialone nano
💡 Nuance: Third risotto name. Smaller grain than arborio. Still not sushi rice.
🇪🇸 Paella Rice
🥘 Bomba Rice
short-grain Spanish rice that soaks up liquid and stays fairly firm
Example: Bomba in paella. Arborio would turn into risotto in the same pan.
🇫🇷 French: Riz bomba
🇩🇪 German: Bomba-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso bomba
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz bomba
💡 Nuance: Absorbs a lot without going mushy. Do not stir it like risotto.
short-grain Spanish rice that soaks up liquid and stays fairly firm
Example: Bomba in paella. Arborio would turn into risotto in the same pan.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz bomba🇫🇷 French: Riz bomba
🇩🇪 German: Bomba-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso bomba
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz bomba
💡 Nuance: Absorbs a lot without going mushy. Do not stir it like risotto.
🟠 Valencia Rice
short-grain Spanish rice used in paella and similar dishes
Example: A bag labeled Valencia is the everyday paella grain. Bomba is the fancier one.
🇫🇷 French: Riz de Valence
🇩🇪 German: Valencia-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso di Valencia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz de Valência
💡 Nuance: Region name used as a type. Calasparra is another Spanish short grain with the same job.
short-grain Spanish rice used in paella and similar dishes
Example: A bag labeled Valencia is the everyday paella grain. Bomba is the fancier one.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz de Valencia🇫🇷 French: Riz de Valence
🇩🇪 German: Valencia-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso di Valencia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz de Valência
💡 Nuance: Region name used as a type. Calasparra is another Spanish short grain with the same job.
🏞️ Calasparra Rice
Spanish short grain valued for soaking up flavorful liquid
Example: Calasparra in a soupy rice dish. It drinks the stock.
🇫🇷 French: Riz de Calasparra
🇩🇪 German: Calasparra-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso di Calasparra
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz de Calasparra
💡 Nuance: Town name. Same family as bomba and Valencia. Not a risotto rice.
Spanish short grain valued for soaking up flavorful liquid
Example: Calasparra in a soupy rice dish. It drinks the stock.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz de Calasparra🇫🇷 French: Riz de Calasparra
🇩🇪 German: Calasparra-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso di Calasparra
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz de Calasparra
💡 Nuance: Town name. Same family as bomba and Valencia. Not a risotto rice.
🇯🇵 Japanese Short Grain
🍣 Sushi Rice
short-grain Japanese rice that turns sticky when cooked
Example: Sushi rice is a style and a shop label. Koshihikari is a named variety often used for it.
🇫🇷 French: Riz à sushi
🇩🇪 German: Sushi-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso per sushi
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz para sushi
💡 Nuance: Seasoned with vinegar after cooking when you make sushi. The grain itself is sticky short-grain rice.
short-grain Japanese rice that turns sticky when cooked
Example: Sushi rice is a style and a shop label. Koshihikari is a named variety often used for it.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz para sushi🇫🇷 French: Riz à sushi
🇩🇪 German: Sushi-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso per sushi
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz para sushi
💡 Nuance: Seasoned with vinegar after cooking when you make sushi. The grain itself is sticky short-grain rice.
⭐ Koshihikari Rice
premium Japanese short grain - soft, sticky, a little sweet
Example: Koshihikari is the brand-name-feeling variety on many sushi-rice bags.
🇫🇷 French: Koshihikari
🇩🇪 German: Koshihikari
🇮🇹 Italian: Koshihikari
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Koshihikari
💡 Nuance: A variety, not a cooking method. Akitakomachi is another prized Japanese short grain.
premium Japanese short grain - soft, sticky, a little sweet
Example: Koshihikari is the brand-name-feeling variety on many sushi-rice bags.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Koshihikari🇫🇷 French: Koshihikari
🇩🇪 German: Koshihikari
🇮🇹 Italian: Koshihikari
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Koshihikari
💡 Nuance: A variety, not a cooking method. Akitakomachi is another prized Japanese short grain.
🌾 Akitakomachi Rice
Japanese short grain - tender, sticky, mildly sweet
Example: Akitakomachi sits next to koshihikari on Japanese rice shelves.
🇫🇷 French: Akitakomachi
🇩🇪 German: Akitakomachi
🇮🇹 Italian: Akitakomachi
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Akitakomachi
💡 Nuance: Same job as koshihikari. Named variety, still short-grain sticky rice.
Japanese short grain - tender, sticky, mildly sweet
Example: Akitakomachi sits next to koshihikari on Japanese rice shelves.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Akitakomachi🇫🇷 French: Akitakomachi
🇩🇪 German: Akitakomachi
🇮🇹 Italian: Akitakomachi
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Akitakomachi
💡 Nuance: Same job as koshihikari. Named variety, still short-grain sticky rice.
🇺🇸 Calrose Rice
medium-grain rice - soft and a little sticky
Example: Calrose is the California everyday grain. It can stand in for sushi rice in a pinch.
🇫🇷 French: Riz calrose
🇩🇪 German: Calrose-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso calrose
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz calrose
💡 Nuance: Medium, not long. Softer than basmati. Less dedicated than koshihikari.
medium-grain rice - soft and a little sticky
Example: Calrose is the California everyday grain. It can stand in for sushi rice in a pinch.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz calrose🇫🇷 French: Riz calrose
🇩🇪 German: Calrose-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso calrose
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz calrose
💡 Nuance: Medium, not long. Softer than basmati. Less dedicated than koshihikari.
🍡 Sticky & Glutinous
🍡 Glutinous Rice
very sticky rice used across East and Southeast Asia
Example: Glutinous rice has no gluten. The name means gluey, not wheat.
🇫🇷 French: Riz gluant
🇩🇪 German: Klebreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso glutinoso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz glutinoso
💡 Nuance: Sticky rice is the common English name for the same idea. Sushi rice is sticky, but this is stickier still.
very sticky rice used across East and Southeast Asia
Example: Glutinous rice has no gluten. The name means gluey, not wheat.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz glutinoso🇫🇷 French: Riz gluant
🇩🇪 German: Klebreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso glutinoso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz glutinoso
💡 Nuance: Sticky rice is the common English name for the same idea. Sushi rice is sticky, but this is stickier still.
🤍 Sticky Rice
everyday name for rice that clumps when cooked
Example: Sticky rice with mango. The bag may also say glutinous.
🇫🇷 French: Riz collant
🇩🇪 German: Klebreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso appiccicoso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz pegajoso
💡 Nuance: Loose shop term. Often glutinous rice. Sometimes people say it for sushi rice too.
everyday name for rice that clumps when cooked
Example: Sticky rice with mango. The bag may also say glutinous.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz pegajoso🇫🇷 French: Riz collant
🇩🇪 German: Klebreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso appiccicoso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz pegajoso
💡 Nuance: Loose shop term. Often glutinous rice. Sometimes people say it for sushi rice too.
🖤 Sticky Black Rice
dark glutinous rice - chewy, a little sweet
Example: Thai sticky black rice pudding. Regular black rice may be nutty and less gluey.
🇫🇷 French: Riz noir gluant
🇩🇪 German: Schwarzer Klebreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso nero glutinoso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz preto glutinoso
💡 Nuance: Color plus stickiness. Forbidden rice is another black-rice name, not always glutinous.
dark glutinous rice - chewy, a little sweet
Example: Thai sticky black rice pudding. Regular black rice may be nutty and less gluey.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz negro glutinoso🇫🇷 French: Riz noir gluant
🇩🇪 German: Schwarzer Klebreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso nero glutinoso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz preto glutinoso
💡 Nuance: Color plus stickiness. Forbidden rice is another black-rice name, not always glutinous.
🎨 Color & Whole Grain
🤍 White Rice
milled rice with bran and germ removed
Example: Most basmati, jasmine, and sushi rice in shops is sold white.
🇫🇷 French: Riz blanc
🇩🇪 German: Weißer Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso bianco
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz branco
💡 Nuance: A milling stage, not a variety. Brown rice is the same grain with the bran left on.
milled rice with bran and germ removed
Example: Most basmati, jasmine, and sushi rice in shops is sold white.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz blanco🇫🇷 French: Riz blanc
🇩🇪 German: Weißer Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso bianco
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz branco
💡 Nuance: A milling stage, not a variety. Brown rice is the same grain with the bran left on.
🤎 Brown Rice
whole-grain rice with bran and germ still on - chewy
Example: Brown rice takes longer and stays nuttier than the white version of the same grain.
🇫🇷 French: Riz complet / riz brun
🇩🇪 German: Naturreis / Vollkornreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso integrale
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz integral
💡 Nuance: Processing, not a country. You can have brown basmati or brown jasmine.
whole-grain rice with bran and germ still on - chewy
Example: Brown rice takes longer and stays nuttier than the white version of the same grain.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz integral🇫🇷 French: Riz complet / riz brun
🇩🇪 German: Naturreis / Vollkornreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso integrale
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz integral
💡 Nuance: Processing, not a country. You can have brown basmati or brown jasmine.
⚫ Black Rice
dark grain with a rich, slightly nutty flavor
Example: Black rice cooked plain is nutty. Sticky black rice is the dessert cousin.
🇫🇷 French: Riz noir
🇩🇪 German: Schwarzer Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso nero
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz preto
💡 Nuance: Color name. Forbidden rice is a traditional name for some of these dark varieties.
dark grain with a rich, slightly nutty flavor
Example: Black rice cooked plain is nutty. Sticky black rice is the dessert cousin.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz negro🇫🇷 French: Riz noir
🇩🇪 German: Schwarzer Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso nero
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz preto
💡 Nuance: Color name. Forbidden rice is a traditional name for some of these dark varieties.
🚫 Forbidden Rice
traditional name for some black rice varieties
Example: The bag said forbidden rice. It cooked like other black rice.
🇫🇷 French: Riz interdit
🇩🇪 German: Verbotener Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso proibito
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz proibido
💡 Nuance: Marketing and history, not a separate cooking method. Still black rice.
traditional name for some black rice varieties
Example: The bag said forbidden rice. It cooked like other black rice.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz prohibido🇫🇷 French: Riz interdit
🇩🇪 German: Verbotener Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso proibito
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz proibido
💡 Nuance: Marketing and history, not a separate cooking method. Still black rice.
❤️ Red Rice
rice with reddish bran - earthy and nutty
Example: Bhutanese red rice and Matta rice are both red, from different places.
🇫🇷 French: Riz rouge
🇩🇪 German: Roter Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso rosso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz vermelho
💡 Nuance: Color of the bran. Wehani is an aromatic reddish-brown type. Matta is Kerala's red-husked rice.
rice with reddish bran - earthy and nutty
Example: Bhutanese red rice and Matta rice are both red, from different places.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz rojo🇫🇷 French: Riz rouge
🇩🇪 German: Roter Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso rosso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz vermelho
💡 Nuance: Color of the bran. Wehani is an aromatic reddish-brown type. Matta is Kerala's red-husked rice.
🟣 Purple Rice
naturally dark grains with a purple or violet color
Example: Purple rice overlaps with black rice on many shelves. The cooked color is the clue.
🇫🇷 French: Riz violet
🇩🇪 German: Lila Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso viola
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz roxo
💡 Nuance: Color label. Not a risotto style.
naturally dark grains with a purple or violet color
Example: Purple rice overlaps with black rice on many shelves. The cooked color is the clue.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz morado🇫🇷 French: Riz violet
🇩🇪 German: Lila Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso viola
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz roxo
💡 Nuance: Color label. Not a risotto style.
🔶 Wehani Rice
aromatic reddish-brown rice - firm and chewy
Example: Wehani smells a little like hot basmati and chews like brown rice.
🇫🇷 French: Riz wehani
🇩🇪 German: Wehani-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso wehani
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz wehani
💡 Nuance: A named reddish-brown aromatic. Not wild rice.
aromatic reddish-brown rice - firm and chewy
Example: Wehani smells a little like hot basmati and chews like brown rice.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz wehani🇫🇷 French: Riz wehani
🇩🇪 German: Wehani-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso wehani
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz wehani
💡 Nuance: A named reddish-brown aromatic. Not wild rice.
🌾 Wild Rice
aquatic grass seed - long, dark, chewy
Example: Wild rice is not a true rice plant. It still cooks in the rice pot.
🇫🇷 French: Riz sauvage
🇩🇪 German: Wildreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso selvatico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz selvagem
💡 Nuance: Different genus. Long dark needles. Often mixed with white or brown rice in blends.
aquatic grass seed - long, dark, chewy
Example: Wild rice is not a true rice plant. It still cooks in the rice pot.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz salvaje🇫🇷 French: Riz sauvage
🇩🇪 German: Wildreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso selvatico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz selvagem
💡 Nuance: Different genus. Long dark needles. Often mixed with white or brown rice in blends.
🏭 Processed & South Indian
♨️ Parboiled Rice
rice partly cooked in the husk before milling - grains stay firm
Example: Parboiled rice holds in a steamer tray. Regular white rice can clump.
🇫🇷 French: Riz étuvé
🇩🇪 German: Parboiled-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso parboiled
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz parboilizado
💡 Nuance: Converted rice is the same idea under another shop name.
rice partly cooked in the husk before milling - grains stay firm
Example: Parboiled rice holds in a steamer tray. Regular white rice can clump.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz parboiled / vaporizado🇫🇷 French: Riz étuvé
🇩🇪 German: Parboiled-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso parboiled
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz parboilizado
💡 Nuance: Converted rice is the same idea under another shop name.
📦 Converted Rice
rice parboiled before it is milled and packed
Example: Converted rice on an American bag is parboiled rice.
🇫🇷 French: Riz converti
🇩🇪 German: Converted Rice
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso convertito
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz convertido
💡 Nuance: Process name, not a variety. Firm separate grains.
rice parboiled before it is milled and packed
Example: Converted rice on an American bag is parboiled rice.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz convertido🇫🇷 French: Riz converti
🇩🇪 German: Converted Rice
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso convertito
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz convertido
💡 Nuance: Process name, not a variety. Firm separate grains.
🧩 Broken Rice
grains that snapped in milling - used in porridge and some regional dishes
Example: Vietnamese broken rice is a feature, not a defect.
🇫🇷 French: Riz brisé
🇩🇪 German: Bruchreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso spezzato
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz quebrado
💡 Nuance: Same variety, smaller pieces. Cooks faster and creamier.
grains that snapped in milling - used in porridge and some regional dishes
Example: Vietnamese broken rice is a feature, not a defect.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz partido🇫🇷 French: Riz brisé
🇩🇪 German: Bruchreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso spezzato
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz quebrado
💡 Nuance: Same variety, smaller pieces. Cooks faster and creamier.
🇮🇳 Ponni Rice
everyday rice of southern India
Example: Ponni on a Tamil table. Sona masuri is the lighter neighbor.
🇫🇷 French: Riz ponni
🇩🇪 German: Ponni-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso ponni
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz ponni
💡 Nuance: Regional staple. Not basmati. Softer everyday rice.
everyday rice of southern India
Example: Ponni on a Tamil table. Sona masuri is the lighter neighbor.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz ponni🇫🇷 French: Riz ponni
🇩🇪 German: Ponni-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso ponni
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz ponni
💡 Nuance: Regional staple. Not basmati. Softer everyday rice.
💛 Sona Masuri Rice
medium-grain Indian rice - light texture, mild flavor
Example: Sona masuri for a simple midday meal. Basmati for the feast rice.
🇫🇷 French: Sona masuri
🇩🇪 German: Sona Masuri
🇮🇹 Italian: Sona masuri
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sona masuri
💡 Nuance: Light everyday grain. Not a risotto rice and not jasmine.
medium-grain Indian rice - light texture, mild flavor
Example: Sona masuri for a simple midday meal. Basmati for the feast rice.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Sona masuri🇫🇷 French: Sona masuri
🇩🇪 German: Sona Masuri
🇮🇹 Italian: Sona masuri
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sona masuri
💡 Nuance: Light everyday grain. Not a risotto rice and not jasmine.
❤️ Matta Rice
red-husked rice from Kerala
Example: Matta rice with a Kerala fish curry. The grain stays robust.
🇫🇷 French: Riz matta
🇩🇪 German: Matta-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso matta
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz matta
💡 Nuance: Also called Kerala red rice. A specific red rice, not a generic color label.
red-husked rice from Kerala
Example: Matta rice with a Kerala fish curry. The grain stays robust.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz matta🇫🇷 French: Riz matta
🇩🇪 German: Matta-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso matta
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz matta
💡 Nuance: Also called Kerala red rice. A specific red rice, not a generic color label.
🫓 Idli Rice
short or medium grain used to ferment batter for idli
Example: Idli rice plus urad dal. Basmati would not ferment into the same cake.
🇫🇷 French: Riz à idli
🇩🇪 German: Idli-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso per idli
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz para idli
💡 Nuance: A job name. Parboiled short/medium grain is common. Not the steamed cake itself.
short or medium grain used to ferment batter for idli
Example: Idli rice plus urad dal. Basmati would not ferment into the same cake.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz para idli🇫🇷 French: Riz à idli
🇩🇪 German: Idli-Reis
🇮🇹 Italian: Riso per idli
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz para idli
💡 Nuance: A job name. Parboiled short/medium grain is common. Not the steamed cake itself.
🧠 Useful Distinctions
🇮🇳 Basmati vs. 🇹🇭 Jasmine
Both fragrant long grains. Basmati stays separate and dry. Jasmine is softer and a little clingy.
Both fragrant long grains. Basmati stays separate and dry. Jasmine is softer and a little clingy.
🍚 Arborio vs. 🥇 Carnaroli vs. 🥘 Bomba
Arborio and carnaroli are stirred for risotto. Bomba soaks in a paella pan and is not stirred.
Arborio and carnaroli are stirred for risotto. Bomba soaks in a paella pan and is not stirred.
🍣 Sushi rice vs. 🍡 Glutinous / sticky rice
Sushi rice is sticky short grain. Glutinous rice is stickier still and has no gluten.
Sushi rice is sticky short grain. Glutinous rice is stickier still and has no gluten.
🤍 White vs. 🤎 Brown
Milling, not a country. Brown keeps the bran. The same variety can be sold both ways.
Milling, not a country. Brown keeps the bran. The same variety can be sold both ways.
⚫ Black vs. 🚫 Forbidden vs. 🖤 Sticky black
Forbidden is a name for some black rice. Sticky black is glutinous and used in desserts.
Forbidden is a name for some black rice. Sticky black is glutinous and used in desserts.
♨️ Parboiled vs. 📦 Converted
Same process, two labels. Firm separate grains.
Same process, two labels. Firm separate grains.
🌾 Wild rice
A grass seed, not Oryza. Chewy dark needles.
A grass seed, not Oryza. Chewy dark needles.
💬 Everyday Rice Phrases
🇮🇳 Basmati for biryani. Jasmine for Thai food.
two perfume rices
🇫🇷 Le basmati pour le biryani. Le jasmin pour la cuisine thaïe.
🇩🇪 Basmati zum Biryani. Jasmin zur thailändischen Küche.
🇮🇹 Basmati per il biryani. Jasmine per il cibo thai.
🇵🇹 Basmati no biryani. Jasmim na comida tailandesa.
two perfume rices
Show translations
🇪🇸 Basmati para el biryani. Jazmín para la comida tailandesa.🇫🇷 Le basmati pour le biryani. Le jasmin pour la cuisine thaïe.
🇩🇪 Basmati zum Biryani. Jasmin zur thailändischen Küche.
🇮🇹 Basmati per il biryani. Jasmine per il cibo thai.
🇵🇹 Basmati no biryani. Jasmim na comida tailandesa.
🥘 Do not stir paella like risotto.
bomba vs. arborio
🇫🇷 Ne remuez pas la paella comme un risotto.
🇩🇪 Paella nicht wie Risotto rühren.
🇮🇹 Non mescolare la paella come un risotto.
🇵🇹 Não mexa a paella como um risotto.
bomba vs. arborio
Show translations
🇪🇸 No remuevas la paella como un risotto.🇫🇷 Ne remuez pas la paella comme un risotto.
🇩🇪 Paella nicht wie Risotto rühren.
🇮🇹 Non mescolare la paella come un risotto.
🇵🇹 Não mexa a paella como um risotto.
🍡 Glutinous means sticky. It is not wheat gluten.
the confusing name
🇫🇷 Glutinous veut dire collant. Ce n’est pas le gluten du blé.
🇩🇪 Glutinous heißt klebrig. Das ist kein Weizengluten.
🇮🇹 Glutinoso vuol dire appiccicoso. Non è glutine di grano.
🇵🇹 Glutinoso quer dizer pegajoso. Não é glúten de trigo.
the confusing name
Show translations
🇪🇸 Glutinoso significa pegajoso. No es gluten de trigo.🇫🇷 Glutinous veut dire collant. Ce n’est pas le gluten du blé.
🇩🇪 Glutinous heißt klebrig. Das ist kein Weizengluten.
🇮🇹 Glutinoso vuol dire appiccicoso. Non è glutine di grano.
🇵🇹 Glutinoso quer dizer pegajoso. Não é glúten de trigo.
🤍 White or brown is milling. Basmati is the variety.
process vs. type
🇫🇷 Blanc ou complet, c’est le polissage. Basmati, c’est la variété.
🇩🇪 Weiß oder natur ist die Mühle. Basmati ist die Sorte.
🇮🇹 Bianco o integrale è la lavorazione. Basmati è la varietà.
🇵🇹 Branco ou integral é a moagem. Basmati é a variedade.
process vs. type
Show translations
🇪🇸 Blanco o integral es el molido. Basmati es la variedad.🇫🇷 Blanc ou complet, c’est le polissage. Basmati, c’est la variété.
🇩🇪 Weiß oder natur ist die Mühle. Basmati ist die Sorte.
🇮🇹 Bianco o integrale è la lavorazione. Basmati è la varietà.
🇵🇹 Branco ou integral é a moagem. Basmati é a variedade.
🏆 Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Read the situation. Choose the more precise rice word.
Read the situation. Choose the more precise rice word.
Question 1 of 8
✅ Correct: 0
❓ Questions: 0
🎯 Accuracy: 0%