The best rice varieties in the world
The top 3 according to 361 votes from people: Basmati · Jasmine rice · Calasparra. (Updated Oct 2, 2020.)
Basmati, jasmine, arborio, bomba and Koshihikari: the rice varieties behind biryani, risotto, paella and sushi.
Top 21
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1
Basmati
Long, fragrant grain from India and Pakistan, for biryani and pilau.
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2
Jasmine rice
Thai Hom Mali rice, soft and floral.
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3
Calasparra
Spanish rice with denomination of origin from Murcia.
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4
Carnaroli
The risotto chef's favourite, holds its shape.
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5
Arborio
Italian short-grain rice for creamy risotto.
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6
Koshihikari
Japan's most prized short-grain rice, for sushi.
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7
Bomba
Spanish round grain that absorbs broth, for paella.
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8
Sona Masuri
Light, aromatic medium grain from South India.
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9
Ponni
Tamil Nadu's everyday rice.
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10
Gobindobhog
Small fragrant rice from West Bengal.
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11
Bhutanese red rice
Nutty red rice from the Himalayas.
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12
Riceberry
Modern Thai purple whole-grain rice.
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13
Black rice
Purple-black 'forbidden rice' rich in anthocyanins.
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14
Camargue red rice
Red rice from the Rhône delta in France.
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15
Kalanamak
Black-husked scented rice from Uttar Pradesh.
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16
Calrose
Medium-grain rice developed in California.
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17
Ambemohar
Mango-blossom scented rice from Maharashtra.
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18
Glutinous rice
Sticky rice for Asian sweets and khao niao.
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19
Matta (Palakkad)
Red Kerala rice with bold grains.
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20
Yamada Nishiki
Japan's most famous sake rice.
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21
Joha rice
Aromatic short-grain rice from Assam.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (8)
Jasmine rice is my everyday rice and I'm not sorry
Bomba for paella, no substitutes. Learned that the hard way with basmati.
Koshihikari below Sona Masuri feels wrong to me but fair, depends what you cook
Matta rice with fish curry, Kerala style. Missing home now.
Black rice pudding with coconut milk, highly recommend
Gobindobhog in payesh is unbeatable, glad to see it here
Carnaroli > Arborio for risotto, every Italian chef will tell you
Never heard of Kalanamak, going to look for it