# Rice: white or brown? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 13, 2013, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892 "2013-06-13T12:08:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/41 "2013-06-15T04:40:41Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Jasmine-scented white rice, because that’s what my wife buys. I don’t have a wife…and I only discovered jasmine-scented white rice about a year ago – and, yeah! I like it. Nice and puffy-poofy, and you can pour salsa over it and have dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/42 "2013-06-16T01:45:00Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > You might like Thai rice (called sticky or sweet), _steamed_. There are plenty of videos on how to make real sticky rice. Sticky rice is only one variety. You can find it all over the country, but it’s mainly part of northeastern cuisine and is meant to be eaten by hand with that region’s food. Jasmine rice – called Hom Mali (“fragrant jasmine”) – is the preferred, and it’s not sticky at all, meant to be eaten with a spoon (Thais usually won’t stick forks in their mouths). Not sure but jasmine/Hom Mali may even be patented, and there’s a big brouhaha over the US allegedly stealing “the secret” or something. But even if it’s not jasmine rice, just regular white rice is what is normally served here. I’m no farmer, but the wife confirms sticky rice is grown, not “made.” There may be ways to imitate it, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/43 "2013-06-16T03:35:01Z")
I voted either. Usually I cook white rice for stir fries but brown is great with dishes like Teriyaki Chicken. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/44 "2013-06-16T06:10:52Z")
Brown rice, please, unless the main course requires white rice. Brown rice has a unique texture and taste that I love. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/45 "2013-06-16T06:24:29Z")
Neither. White rice is tasty but crappy. Brown is disgusting but healthy. I prefer yellow rices - Indian, Spanish, etc. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/46 "2013-06-16T06:25:24Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Has anybody ever cooked brown rice Thai style (i.e. with coconut milk and seasonings)? I’ve only cooked white this way and was wondering if brown works tastewise for this as well. No, you must use Forbidden Rice for these recipes. Just avoid growing to like it (the nutty flavor and the purple tint it imparts to all that it touches) the stuff is a bit expensive and not always easy to find. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/47 "2013-06-16T13:18:20Z")
Basmati, Jasmine or Sushi rice. All white. My Wife bought me a rice cooker a few years back and it works just great. I don’t generally like the flavor or texture of brown rice. It’ll do though. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/48 "2013-06-16T13:28:27Z")
I usually buy brown rice for home, but occasionally wind up with some white. Outside of the home white is usually your only option around here. Both are fine with me, although I lean towards brown for its superior nutrition. I cook my brown rice in the microwave. Heat 3 cups of water 10 minutes on high, add 1.5 cups of brown rice, then 32 minutes on 60% power. I don’t have to babysit the pot and since the parrots have not yet figured out how to open the microwave on their own I don’t have to worry about either injured pets or stolen dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/49 "2013-06-17T01:21:18Z")
White rice been _beriberi_ bad to me. OK, not me in specific, but brown rice does have more nutrition, more flavor, and, generally, more reason for existing. White rice is like white bread: It’s what you get when you take something reasonably good, throw away the best part, and eat the rest. Admittedly, owning a rice cooker helps me make this choice. ---
**Author:** ![niffcreature](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/87869e/32.png) [@niffcreature](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/niffcreature)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/50 "2013-06-17T02:15:25Z")
^ yesssss… brown all the way white has its purposes E G generally saucier dishes since its more absorbent. with like pork though brown rice is perfect. you can’t always go 100% nutrition IMO… i wont eat whole wheat noodles… and there’s something appealing to grilled cheese with white bread and kraft singles ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/51 "2013-06-17T02:31:27Z")
A Blend of brown & Wild rice is by far my favorite. It should have been in the poll too. > **[Amazon.com : Lundberg Family Farms - Wild Blend Rice, Pantry Staple, Great for...](https://www.amazon.com/Lundberg-Family-Farms-Blend-Ounce/dp/B000G82L62)** > > Amazon.com : Lundberg Family Farms - Wild Blend Rice, Pantry Staple, Great for Cooking, Versatile, Rich Color, Full-Bodied Flavor, Whole Grain, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Kosher (16 oz, 6-Pack) : Dried Brown Rice : Grocery & Gourmet Food ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/52 "2013-06-18T18:17:27Z")
> [@For You](#): > > No, you must use Forbidden Rice for these recipes. Just avoid growing to like it (the nutty flavor and the purple tint it imparts to all that it touches) the stuff is a bit expensive and not always easy to find. This is a problem for me. I found it once. And I love it. But now I can’t figure out where I bought it! Either the stores aren’t carrying it locally any more, or I’m not hitting the right one. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/53 "2013-06-18T18:19:14Z")
Sheesh, if white rice is good enough for millions of Japanese and Chinese people, it’s good enough for us! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Taiyoshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b2d939/32.png) [@Taiyoshi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taiyoshi)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/54 "2013-06-18T18:19:57Z")
I like fried rice best. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/55 "2013-06-18T19:09:57Z")
What happened to the “Snap” “Crackle” and “Pop” options in the Poll? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/56 "2013-06-18T20:48:12Z")
Brown rice is disgusting. We’re both Asian (admittedly of totally different stripes) so of course we have a rice cooker, but I just can’t enjoy brown rice…the texture is all wrong from my long grain basmati rice. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892/57 "2013-06-18T20:56:45Z")
I voted for “brown rice” but love both. I probably would have voted for “wild rice” if that option were present. We purchase 25 pound bags of basmati rice from Sam’s, and it lasts well over a year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-white-or-brown/660892.md?page=2)