Rice

For detailed information on types of rice and the difference between short- and medium-grain versus long-grain rice.

When shopping for rice, you are best off using your eyes to discern which grain is which. Medium- or short-grained rice is short, oval, and plump. Long-grain rice is oblong and slim, with relatively pointed ends. If you are ordering rice by mail be sure to specify that you want short- or medium-grain regular rice and not the sweet or glutinous variety of rice that belongs to the family of short-grained rice but is entirely different in texture and use (see Sweet Rice).