There are dozens of different ways to classify the scores of types of rice from all over the world, but rice is generally described as being long-, medium- or short-grained. These are some of the most common types you'll find in supermarkets and gourmet stores, as well as a few specialty rices that we're seeing more and more often.
Long-Grain Rices
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American long-grain white rice is the most familiar rice in American kitchens. It's often cooked by the absorption method—in a tightly covered pot with a measured amount of water, which gets completely absorbed by the rice—for a dry, fluffy texture with distinct grains.
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American long-grain brown rice is the whole-grain version of its white counterpart—that is to say, the bran and germ layers are left intact, giving the rice a nutty, grainy flavor and a chewy bite. The pasta method (cooking the rice in a large pot of boiling water until tender, then draining off the excess water) is a quick way to cook brown rice evenly.
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Basmati, the predominant rice in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, is marked by its extra-long grains and subtly nutty fragrance and flavor. It needs to soak for half an hour or more before cooking.
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Jasmine rice, from Thailand, has long, translucent grains. When cooked, it has a seductive, slightly floral aroma and a soft, clingy texture. It should be washed before cooking to remove excess starch.
Medium-Grain Rices
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Japanese-style rice is used for sushi, but also served plain as a finish to a typical meal. It's slightly translucent when raw, and firm but a bit sticky when cooked (but don't confuse it with Japanese sticky rice, used for the sweets called mochi).
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Bomba is the rice of choice for the Spanish classic paella. It absorbs up to twice as much liquid as long-grain rice, but without getting sticky, like short-grain rice.
