rice is classified by length of grain. Long grains have less starch, and thus separate more, becoming fluffy. Short grains less starch, stick more, etc. in short: a side of rice? long grain. sushi? medium grain. risotto? short grain.

Long Grain

• Basmati - means “queen of fragrance” in sanskrit. used in pilaf, biryani.
• Jasmine - more subtle flavor
• texmati - degenerate basmati grown in texas
• wehani - from california
• Louisiana pecan / popcorn rice - smells like nut
• carolina gold - long grain grown in carolina
• charleston gold - more aromatic carolina gold

Short/Medium Grain

• “white rice” from japan or china - usually short or medium grain
• Calasparra
• bomba
• valencia
• thai sticky
• glutinous rice - ironically contains no gluten

red/black/brown: they've left more of the bran or germ

• thai black rice - whole grain sticky rice that must be steamed rather than boiled
• parboiled or “converted” - steamed before milled, so apparently more nutritious. Less sticky.