6 Most Famous Types of Rice in the World

Behind every delicious rice dish lies a unique type of rice, each originating from different regions around the world. These origins influence their taste, texture, and aroma, giving each variety its own distinctive charm.
With such unique characteristics, it’s no surprise that each type of rice has become a culinary pride in its home country, some even gaining international recognition. Let’s discover the most famous types of rice in the world!

1. Japonica Rice

Japanese cuisine typically uses slightly sticky white rice, most of which comes from Japonica rice. Its grains are short to medium in length, round, and have a milky white color. When cooked, Japonica rice turns into soft, fluffy, and slightly sticky rice that’s easy to eat with chopsticks. Its texture is quite similar to Indonesia’s beras pulen (soft rice). Beyond Japan, Japonica rice is also common in Korea, often served as plain steamed rice (bap) or as part of bibimbap.

2.Arborio Rice

Rich in starch, Arborio rice produces a creamy and chewy texture when cooked. To achieve this consistency, it’s best not to rinse or wash the grains before cooking, this helps retain the starch that creates the creamy texture.
Because of its unique consistency, Arborio rice is perfect for dishes like risotto or rice pudding. You can identify it by its short, oval-shaped, and plump grains with a pearly white color. Once cooked, its taste and texture are quite similar to Indonesia’s beras pulen.

3. Basmati Rice

Unlike the short-grain Arborio, Basmati rice is long and slender. It is known for its distinctive aroma and flavor—naturally floral with nutty and slightly spicy notes. This rice originates from India and Pakistan, where it’s a staple food.
When cooked, Basmati grains remain separate and non-sticky, making it ideal for South Asian dishes such as biryani, mandi rice, and kebuli. Each grain perfectly absorbs sauces or gravies, enhancing the overall flavor.

4. Bomba Rice

Bomba is a short-grain rice variety from Spain. Locals often use it to prepare paella, the iconic Spanish rice dish cooked with broth, saffron, meat, or seafood.
When cooked, Bomba rice can absorb two to three times its volume in water. Interestingly, despite this high absorption rate, the grains maintain their shape, similar to Indonesia’s beras pulen. The grains swell slightly, producing rice that looks plump and rounded.

5. Arroz Carolino das Lezírias Ribatejanas

Arroz Carolino das Lezírias Ribatejanas is grown in Salvaterra de Magos, a region outside Lisbon with a Mediterranean subtropical climate. This gives the rice a firm structure that doesn’t break easily when cooked, a quality also found in Indonesia’s beras pulen.
However, once cooked, it becomes soft and slightly creamy. Its texture absorbs flavors and aromas exceptionally well, making it perfect for richly seasoned dishes like arroz de pato (duck rice) or arroz de marisco (seafood rice).

6. Indonesian Beras Pulen

Indonesia is known for its wide variety of rice, and one of the most popular is beras pulen (soft, fluffy rice). Its hallmark lies in its tender, slightly sticky texture, which pairs beautifully with various Indonesian side dishes.
Beras pulen also has a dense grain structure that prevents it from breaking easily during cooking. This allows it to absorb flavors and aromas well, making it ideal for dishes like nasi liwet, nasi kuning, or nasi uduk.

Different types of rice offer different flavors and textures, but one thing’s certain: Indonesian beras pulen has a special place among them. One great example is Beras Maknyuss, a premium quality rice known for its soft and fluffy texture.
Made from clean, naturally grown rice with minimal broken grains, Beras Maknyuss is processed without preservatives or bleaching agents, resulting in naturally fragrant, white grains.
Moreover, it’s produced using modern technology to ensure premium quality, making your dishes even more delicious. Its perfectly fluffy texture and natural aroma make it ideal for classic Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng, nasi kuning, and more.
Enjoy the quality and taste of Beras Maknyuss! order it online now or visit your nearest rice distributor!