Sushi rice, often referred to as shari or sumeshi, is an essential ingredient in sushi, and the kind of rice used has a big impact on the outcome.
Short-grain rice is typically used for sushi, with “Japonica” being the main subspecies. “Koshihikari” is widely recognized as the best variety of Japonica to use for sushi.
This premium short-grain rice is renowned for its exquisite flavor, outstanding stickiness, and glossy look.
Sushi chefs may easily mold the grains into bite-sized pieces for a variety of sushi forms, such as nigiri, maki rolls, and sashimi accompaniments, because the grains hold together effectively.
Sushi rice is meticulously prepared, involving washing, rinsing, and seasoning with a concoction of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to achieve the ideal flavor balance.and texture are crucial for making delicious sushi.
The Popular Japanese Brands and Sushi Rice Cultivars
Sushi rice is an essential ingredient in Japanese cuisine, and the flavor and texture of the finished dish are highly influenced by the rice’s quality. Several popular Japanese brands and sushi rice cultivars are known for their excellence:
Brands
Nishiki: Nishiki is one of the best-known brands of sushi rice both in Japan and abroad. It is recognized for the superior short-grain rice and consistent grain size.
Kokuho Rose: This company is well-known for its high-quality sushi rice, which has a sweet flavor and a little sticky texture. American sushi chefs utilize it quite frequently.
Tamanishiki: Short-grain and medium-grain rice are combined in Tamanishiki, creating a distinctive texture perfect for sushi and other dishes.
Calrose: Calrose is a type of medium-grain rice that is frequently farmed in California and used for sushi in the United States, despite not being a Japanese brand. It is used frequently for sushi rolls and has a delicate feel.
Cultivars
Koshihikari: Koshihikari is a premium short-grain rice that is frequently referred to as the “king of Japanese rice” and is renowned for its outstanding flavor and stickiness. It’s a great place to have sushi.
Akita Komachi: This rice cultivar is grown in the Akita Prefecture and is noted for its plump, pearly grains, which make it ideal for many Japanese dishes, especially sushi.
Hitomebore: This Miyagi Prefecture-bred rice is renowned for having just the right amount of taste and stickiness, making it a versatile option for sushi.
Sasanishiki: Sasanishiki rice is a favorite for sushi in the Kansai region. Sasanishiki rice is farmed in Hyogo Prefecture and is renowned for its glossy appearance and pleasant balance of sweetness and stickiness.
Can You Use Any Type of Rice for Sushi?
For the most realistic sushi, you should use short-grain Japanese rice, but if you don’t have any, you can use other kinds of rice.
For example, medium-grain rice can work pretty well because it also has a lot of sugar. But keep in mind that it might not have the same texture or taste as standard sushi rice.
Long-grain rice, like basmati or jasmine, is not good for making sushi. These types of rice have less starch and a drier feel, which makes them hard to roll or shape into sushi.
If you use long-grain rice, the rolls might not stick together as well as you’d like.
Type of Rice to Avoid for Sushi
- Brown Rice: Because it has bran and germ layers, brown rice is thought to be better than white rice. However, it is not the best choice for sushi. The bran can stop the rice from sticking together and make it feel crunchy. Also, the nuttiness of brown rice might make the delicate flavors of the sushi ingredients taste too strong.
- Medium-Grain Calrose Rice: Medium-grain Calrose rice is a common choice for everyday meals, but it isn’t good enough for sushi. Even though it sticks together pretty well, it doesn’t have the sweetness and ability to soak up vinegar that sushi rice needs.
- Parboiled Rice: Before grinding, parboiled rice is partially boiled, which makes the grains firmer and easier to separate when cooked. This is not good for sushi because the rice needs to be sticky enough to stick together when rolled or pressed.
- Wild Rice: Wild rice, which is dark and chewy, is not a good choice for sushi. Its flavor and texture don’t go well with the delicate tastes of sushi, and its rough surface makes it hard for the rice to stick to the fillings.
Can You Use Jasmine Rice for Sushi?
The smell and taste of jasmine rice may make you want to try new things when you are making sushi. But jasmine rice is not the best choice for sushi. Jasmine rice is a long-grain type that doesn’t have enough stickiness to keep sushi rolls together well.
You can still make rice-based dishes with jasmine rice, but it’s not a good idea to use it for classic sushi. Stick with the tried-and-true Japanese short-grain rice for sushi that tastes real and is good.
How Do You Use Sushi Rice?
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This is the first step in making sushi rice. This step helps get rid of extra sugar and keeps the rice from sticking together too much. After you rinse the rice, let it drain for about 30 minutes before you cook it.
Next, put the rice and water in a pot and let it soak for about 30 minutes before cooking. This process makes sure that the food cooks evenly and that the water is absorbed well.
After soaking, bring the rice to a boil over medium heat, then turn the heat down to low and let it cook, covered, for about 15 minutes. Once the rice is done cooking, let it sit off the heat for 10 minutes with the lid on so it can steam and reach the right thickness.
While the rice is cooking, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt together to make the sushi vinegar. Mix this vinegar mixture gently into the newly cooked rice, being careful not to break up the grains.
Now you have sushi rice that is perfectly seasoned and ready to be made into rolls or nigiri.
Final Thoughts
For tasty sushi, it’s important to choose the right kind of rice. Japanese short-grain rice is the best because it sticks together and has a great feel.
If you don’t have any other options, you can make do with medium-grain rice, but don’t use long-grain rice or flavored mixes. Follow the rules and enjoy the real taste of sushi rice.