Australian Rice Varieties

Australia being one of the biggest countries in the Southern hemisphere, located in the Oceania continent, faces both the tropical and temperate climates. Despite having a tropical climate, which is being considered to the be the favorable climate for growing the semi-aquatic crop, rice, in Australia, only 20 per cent of the total rice produced could be attributed to the tropical side, while more than 80 per cent of the production comes from the temperate regions of Australia in Victoria and New South Wales.

This 80 percent of the rice production will include the cultivation of medium grain varieties called the Japonica varieties. The high temperature during the summer and lack of tropical humidity, favors the growth of these varieties. They are, therefore, very often called the temperate varieties. Some of the popular Japonica varieties cultivated and used well in Australia are Amaroo and their predecessor, Calrose. Amaroo and Millin are the most popular medium grain rice varieties.

Nevertheless, Koshihikari, is the short rice variety, that is also used much in Japan.

The rest of the 20 percent of the rice to be cultivated in the tropical regions will comprise of the long grain Indica varieties, like the Langi, being the largest seller. Other popularly cultivates long grain rice varieties will also include the fragrant varieties like the Basmati. 

So, which , rice do you think you are consuming more?