The Rice Experiment Station developed Calrose rice in the 1940s. It is grown in Sacramento, California, and used in various dishes. What is Calrose rice, and how do you cook perfect Calrose rice in a rice cooker?
Calrose rice is easy to cook in your rice cooker. Prepare Calrose rice the same way you prepare other rice. Cook it with meat and veggies, or cook it plain for an easy side dish.
Is Calrose Rice The Same As Regular Rice?
Calrose rice is a medium-grain variety of rice developed by the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation. California farmers started growing Calrose rice in 1948. Today, it makes up 85% of all rice grown in California.
Calrose rice has a plump, slightly sticky texture. It’s versatile and can substitute for both sushi and jasmine rice. It has a sweet, nutty flavor. Calrose rice is mild and is ideal in a variety of dishes. It also makes excellent table rice.
Is Calrose Rice White Rice?
Calrose rice comes in both white and brown varieties. Brown rice has the outer bran and germ intact, so it’s less processed and contains more vitamins and minerals than white rice. The brown type has a more robust nutty flavor but is still mild enough to use in almost any dish.
White rice has the bran and germ removed. It’s softer than brown rice, and some people find it easier to digest than brown rice. White Calrose rice is sticky but works in soups, pilafs, and casseroles.
Is Calrose Rice Glutinous Rice?
Calrose rice is a glutinous rice. Glutinous rice refers to the slightly sticky rice varieties grown in Asia. This rice is excellent for sushi, paella, and other dishes where rice grains need to stick together.
Not all rice is glutinous. Jasmine, basmati, and other popular varieties are not glutinous. They don’t stick together when cooked. Glutinous is different from gluten-free. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barely. All rice is gluten-free, but some types of rice are more glutinous than others.
How To Cook Calrose Rice In Your Rice Cooker
I cook Calrose rice the same way I cook other types of rice.
Step 1: Measure
I use the cup that came with my rice cooker to measure my rice. This cup equals ¾ cup US (180ML). I overfill the cup and level it off with a knife.
Step 2: Wash
I pour my rice into a metal strainer and run it under cool water for about 30 seconds. Washing removes excess starch from the rice grains and helps stop your rice cooker from boiling over.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
I add rice, broth, water, and seasonings to my cooker. Salt, pepper, and garlic are my favorite seasonings. Sometimes, I add a tablespoon of butter for extra richness.
Step 4: Cook
I push the white or brown rice button on my cooker, depending on which rice I cook. Then, I step away and work on other tasks.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
I let my rice rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. Resting enables the rice to absorb any extra moisture and get softer. Then, I fluff it and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Correct Calrose Rice-To-Water Ratio?
Though I’ve read some about how Calrose rice requires less water to cook, I haven’t found this true. I use the same rice-to-water ratio for Calrose rice as other rice varieties.
I use my rice measuring cup to measure rice. Then, I fill my inner pot to the water line based on how many cups of rice I cook. Your rice cooker may cook differently. If you find your Calrose rice soggy, reduce the water the next time you cook.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Calrose Rice In A Rice Cooker?
It takes about 35 minutes to cook Calrose white rice and about 50 minutes to cook Calrose brown rice. Calrose rice cooks like other rice varieties and takes about the same time to cook.
What Rice Cooker Setting Should I Use When I Cook Calrose Rice?
Use the white or brown rice setting, depending on which type of Calrose you want to cook. Calrose rice cooks on the same setting as other types of rice.
How Do I Cook Calrose Brown Rice In My Rice Cooker?
Cook Calrose brown rice the same way you cook other brown rice. Measure and rinse your rice. Then, add your ingredients to your rice cooker.
Set your cooker on the brown rice setting and let it cook. After cooking your rice, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
The Bottom Line
Calrose rice, a medium grain rice, originates from California. Its slightly sticky texture makes it perfect for sushi, but it also makes a great table rice. Cook Calrose rice in your rice cooker like you cook other rice varieties.
