Sushi Rice VS Sticky Rice: What’s the Difference?

Tony
4 min readFeb 3, 2020

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Sushi Rice VS Sticky Rice

There’s a difference between sushi rice vs sticky rice that is very important for those who have health issues.

Since complications can arise when there’s no clarification between the ingredients that make up sushi rice vs sticky rice.

Sushi Rice:

Sushi Rice VS Sticky Rice

First of all it is the sushi rice that is used in America for making sushi rolls like the Nigiri, Temaki, and so forth.

While this type of rice is also contain more moisture. Additionally its stickiness makes it great for making sushi rolls.

Although there are many types of rice that can be used to cook sushi, the Japanese short-grain is best for making rolls.

Besides sticking easily to other rice, a well balanced sushi rice is sweet, sour, and salty with taking away the flavors of the other ingredients.

Originally the sushi of modern day was invented during the Edo period 200 years ago. Plus it is complemented with fresh fish as sushi rice balls and bought and sold of the fisherman bay.

Also sushi rice has more of an amount of amylose than sweet rice. So while it is still sticky, simultaneously it is also very soft even after cooling.

Preparation:

Storage:

But with sushi rice vs sticky rice, there is one big similarity between them and it is the way to best store them.

Since with sushi rice, the short grain rice after mixed with proper balance of vinegar and sugar needs to be used right away.

Because if you’re planning on using the short grain rice the next day it won’t have the same consistency of flavor.

While sushi rolls made from sushi rice after they are prepped is best to be put into a container that is sealed tight with plastic wrap.

Then it is best that you place the sushi rolls in the fridge within an hour or a half from the time it is made.

Sticky Rice:

Sushi Rice VS Sticky Rice

Firstly sticky rice is grown mainly in Southeast and East Asia, places like Northern Thailand and Laos.

Furthermore sticky rice or sweet rice also requires minimum water upkeep. So it can be found in both uplands and lowland paddies.

Moreover, the reason sweet rice is sticky is due to its starch content. Since sticky rice has a huge of amylopectin so it becomes very sticky once it is cooked.

Also sweet rice is a great source of antioxidant, contains tons of vitamins and minerals.

Preparation:

Storage:

Similarly, sweet rice is best eaten within the first 24 hours from when it is prepared. Since it can only last in the fridge for about a day or two.

Furthermore, you should also be careful of how you’re wrapping the sticky rice if it is to be frozen.

Because frozen food like sweet rice can encounter a problem namely Freezing Burn.

Obviously this type of problem is created from storing sweet rice in a container like a ziplock without fully securing the packaging.

Hence, when sweet rice is not be frozen correctly it will be damaged by the dehydration and oxidation that will occur to the food with the air inside.

Sushi Rice VS Sticky Rice:

Sushi Rice VS Sticky Rice

Unquestionably the difference between sushi rice vs sticky rice arises from their cuisine usage.

Besides their obvious flavor differences, sweet rice is a healthy alternative to gluten grain. Since it doesn’t contain any gluten combination.

Meanwhile, similar to sweet rice sushi rice doesn’t contain gluten. But the ingredients that are added to it does.

So it cannot be as freely eaten by those who have immune reaction to eating gluten. Or else it will cause inflammation damage to the small intestine linings.

Can you substitute the rice?

Definitely sushi rice and sticky rice are to be used in the kitchen for altogether different purposes.

Because sweet rice is best for making food like mocha and Japanese rice cakes.

Meanwhile sushi rice is seasoned with vinegar, salt, and sugar for creating sushi rolls.

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