Rice & Shine! Explore Filipino Grain Delights

While rice may seem like a constant in Filipino meals, its role goes beyond just filling plates. Each variety, with its unique texture and flavor, elevates and complements the flavors of dishes on the table.

Visit a grocery store, and you’ll find a variety of rice options—from the sweet Malagkit rice to the traditional Dinorado rice. To give your family new flavors, textures, and even health benefits during mealtimes, it helps to know your rice!

Let’s explore five types of Philippine rice, so you can pick the right one for your family:

The Daily Delight
Affordable, versatile, and suitable for daily meals, this traditional favorite fluffs up upon cooking and becomes slightly sweet, chewy, and sticky. As a long-grain rice, it doesn’t clump together.

Sinandomeng’s Saucy Ulam Gaming
Popular in Northern Luzon, this long-grain rice is like Dinorado—chewy and fluffy—but is less sticky and sweet. When cooked, it becomes “buhaghag and maalsa.” This unique characteristic makes it ideal for saucy dishes.

Jasponica’s Fusion Fiesta
This premium long-grain rice combines the fragrance of Jasmine rice and the texture of Japanese rice. This makes it ideal for special occasions and Japanese-inspired dishes.

Make it Stick with Malagkit
Malagkit is short-grain rice, which tends to be sweeter and clumpier than long-grain rice when cooked. It is a staple ingredient for sweet dishes and porridge and offers a unique experience when paired with savory viands.

Scentsational Rice
Known for its floral aroma and nutty taste, this long-grain specialty rice has a soft, moist bite and slightly sticky texture. Jasmine rice is popular in Southeast Asian cuisine.

Here's Your Rice Guide to Tastier Family Meals

As a mom or dad, you strive to put delicious and nutritious food on the table for your family. But with so many rice varieties available, choosing the "best" one can feel overwhelming. This simple guide will help you navigate the world of rice, considering four key factors:

Taste Preferences
Experiment and find what tickles your family’s taste buds!

Dinorado makes a slightly sweet, fluffy base for your ulam, while Sinandomeng has a plainer flavor. Jasponica White is good when you want something sweeter and softer than Dinoardo, but firmer than Malagkit. Malagkit is ideal for those who enjoy sweet flavors and a very soft texture. Jasmine Rice lets you enjoy a subtle floral-sweet-nutty taste.

Budget
Are you working with a tight budget? Then consider Sinandomeng, one of the most affordable rice varieties available, followed by Dinorado. Specialty rice Jasmine costs more but gives value for money due to its aroma and flavor. Jasponica is mostly expensive because of its premium quality. Malagkit’s price varies depending on the type and source.

Health Goals
Every rice variety offers unique textures and flavors, but mindful eating is key. Malagkit, is known for its sticky texture due to amylopectin, a type of starch that attracts more water making it more stickier.

Rice contains mostly carbohydrates, which is the main energy source of the body. As with any food containing calories, it should be enjoyed according to proper portions. Based on PINGGANG PINOY(R) developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, an average adult male should eat 1 1/2 cups of rice while an average adult woman is 1 cup of rice.

Meal Types
If you want versatility, Dinorado is a good option. It goes well with many Filipino dishes like adobo and sinigang, and makes a mean fried rice.

Sinandomeng’s less sticky, “buhaghag” characteristic makes it good for saucy dishes. Choose it for kare-kare, pinakbet, and other stews.

For special occasions, Japanese-style dishes like sushi-bake, or when you want to upgrade your daily family meals, Jasponica White’s premium flavor and texture quality is your best bet.
If desserts like bibingka and suman, and porridges like champorado and arroz caldo, Malagkit is your go-to. But here’s a secret: try it with rich meats like lechon kawali for a unique experience!
For Southeast Asian recipes like curries and stir-fries, elevate it with the floral-nuttiness Jasmine Rice.

Cooking Tips and Flavor Pairings:

Unlocking the full potential of each rice variety is simple: follow the specific cooking instructions provided on their packaging. This ensures optimal texture, flavor, and aroma for each type.
For an extra boost, pair Jasmine Rice with dishes featuring spices, as it allows their flavors to truly shine. Malagkit's sweetness complements rich meat dishes beautifully, while Jasponica White's robust flavor stands up to bolder and more complex culinary creations. By choosing the right rice for different dishes and following the cooking instructions, you can elevate your family's meals to new heights!

For delicious recipe ideas for your family, visit Nestle Goodnes’ official website.