As a staple food enjoyed throughout Northern Thailand, Laos, and other areas of Southeast Asia, sticky rice plays an important role in Asian cuisine. Sometimes referred to as glutinous rice, this rounded grain is prized for its unique chewy, gluey texture and sweet flavor. If you’ve yet to try this dish, here are a few details to know about sticky rice and why it’s popular around the world.

4 Interesting Facts About Sticky Rice

1. Stickiness Is in the Starch

Regular white rice has a balance of amylose and amylopectin starches. Amylose starches won’t gelatinize when cooked, allowing the grains to remain tender and fluffy without sticking together. On the other hand, sticky varieties are mostly comprised of amylopectin. When the grain gets wet, the amylopectin molecules separate and create its distinctive tacky consistency.

2. Suits Sweet & Savory Dishes

Due to its sweetness, this ingredient is commonly used in many Thai desserts, such as sticky rice with mango or ice cream. However, it also serves as an exceptional base for savory dishes in Asian cuisine, like those that utilize curry, chicken, or vegetables.

3. Soaked First, Then Steamed

Unlike white varieties, sticky rice isn’t boiled. Instead, for maximum stickiness, it’s soaked in cold water for about four to ten hours, so the moisture can penetrate the grains’ outer shell. After soaking, the rice is drained and rinsed until the water no longer has a white color.

In traditional preparation, the rinsed rice is wrapped in cheesecloth and placed inside a woven basket, known as a huat. This basket rests inside a special water-filled pot, known as a maw nueng, where it’s covered and steamed for about an hour.

4. Gluten-Free

When people hear the term glutinous, they often think the rice isn’t acceptable for a gluten-free diet. However, this word only means that it has a gummy quality. In reality, this food doesn’t contain gluten.

If you want to try sticky rice, get an order from Thailand Cuisine 2 in Kahului, HI. This Maui eatery serves delicious, authentic Asian cuisine, including entrees and desserts that feature sticky rice. To get more information about their menu, visit their website or call (808) 873-0225.