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“What is ST21, ST24, and ST25 Rice? Which Variety Tastes Better?”

ST21, ST24, and ST25 rice varieties are unique products of Soc Trang, each with its own distinct characteristics and appeal. But which one reigns supreme in the taste department? Join us as we delve into the world of these rice specialties and uncover the answer in this tantalizing exploration.

Administrator

22 July, 2024

ST21, ST24, and ST25 rice are specialty rice varieties from Soc Trang, favored by many consumers for their family meals due to their delicious flavor. Join Bach Hoa Xanh in exploring the unique characteristics and distinctive tastes of each rice variety in the article below.

Further Reference: Top rice varieties favored by consumers

1 ST21 Rice

ST21 Rice

also known as Long Lai Rice, is produced from the ST rice variety, a specialty of Soc Trang Province. ST21 rice is a variety researched and selectively bred by engineer Ho Quang Cua from aromatic specialty rice varieties. Thus, ST21 rice boasts superior nutritional content and an enticing aroma, coupled with wide cultivation, making it a familiar choice for Vietnamese consumers.

How to identify ST21 rice: ST21 rice grains are slender and long, approximately 6.8mm in length, featuring a translucent white color and a subtle jasmine fragrance.

Characteristics of ST21 rice: When cooked, ST21 rice exhibits a sweet and sticky texture, exuding a natural aroma that persists even when cooled. Another notable feature is its ability to retain its sticky and fragrant qualities for up to 5-6 months if properly stored.

Nutritional value: ST21 rice is rich in nutritional content, including gluxit, lipit, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Notably, it retains group B vitamins even during the milling process.

How to properly cook ST21 rice: Measure the desired amount of rice, rinse it with clean water 2-3 times, and add water using a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water (a common measurement is to ensure the water level is one finger-width above the rice level). Once the rice is cooked, avoid lifting the lid immediately; instead, wait for 5-10 minutes before fluffing the rice with a spoon or chopsticks to achieve a soft and fluffy texture.

Price: 40,000 VND/kg – 190,000 VND/5kg

2 ST24 Rice

, also known as lai bun rice, is a variety cultivated in Soc Trang Province by engineer Ho Quang Cua. In 2017, ST24 rice won second place in the World’s Best Rice competition, ranking among the top 3 best rice varieties in the world. A distinctive feature of ST24 rice is its adaptability to varying weather conditions, allowing it to thrive in saline and acidic soils, which are prevalent in the Eastern South region of Vietnam. This variety offers stable yields despite challenging conditions.

How to identify ST24 rice: ST24 rice grains are elongated and flat, approximately 9mm in length, with a translucent white color and a natural pandan leaf aroma.

Characteristics of ST24 rice: When cooked, ST24 rice yields soft and sticky grains with a pandan leaf fragrance. Notably, ST24 rice tastes even better when cooled, retaining its soft and sticky texture without hardening. Consequently, it is a popular choice for restaurants, eateries, and hotels.

Nutritional value: ST24 rice boasts a high nutritional content, including gluxit, , and . Additionally, it contains a higher protein content of 10% compared to regular rice varieties, which helps induce a feeling of fullness before overeating, making it suitable for individuals with diabetes.

You can find ST24 rice for sale at our store!

How to properly cook ST24 rice: Measure the desired amount of rice, rinse it with clean water 2-3 times, and add just enough water to cover the rice by approximately 1cm (roughly from the tip of the index finger to two-thirds of the nail length). There is no need to fluff the rice after cooking.

Price: 60,000 VND/kg – 250,000 VND/5kg

3 ST25 Rice

is a rice variety recognized as the best rice in the world in 2019, acclaimed for its superior quality and health benefits. ST25 rice is a variety researched, selectively bred, and improved over 20 years by engineer Ho Quang Cua and his colleagues. ST25 rice exhibits exceptional characteristics in disease resistance, salinity tolerance, and adaptability to acidic and saline soils. It is a high-yield variety that can be cultivated 2-3 times a year.

How to identify ST25 rice: ST25 rice grains are long and slender, without discoloration or breakage, and feature a translucent white color.

Characteristics of ST25 rice: When cooked, ST25 rice absorbs less water, resulting in non-fluffy grains. The cooked rice is uniformly soft and sticky, with a natural pandan leaf aroma, and it remains soft even when cooled, without hardening.

Nutritional value: Another distinctive feature that earned ST25 rice the title of the world’s best rice is its high nutritional content. ST25 rice is rich in vitamins, with a 10% protein content, along with other minerals such as , , and fiber. This nutritional profile promotes a feeling of fullness before overeating, making it suitable for individuals with high blood sugar levels, the elderly, and children.

How to properly cook ST25 rice: Measure the desired amount of rice, rinse it with clean water 2-3 times, and adjust the water level according to your taste preferences using two ratios (1 cup of rice to 1 cup of water or 1 cup of rice to 0.8 cups of water). Alternatively, you can add water to a level approximately from the tip of the index finger to two-thirds of the nail length. During cooking, avoid lifting the lid frequently. After the rice is cooked, keep the lid closed for about 10 minutes to allow the rice to settle before fluffing it.

Price: 60,000 VND/kg – 280,000 VND/5kg

Reference:

4 Which is Tastier: ST21, ST24, or ST25 Rice?

Preferences vary depending on individual tastes and needs, leading to diverse opinions on the tastiest rice variety. It is evident that with each round of selective breeding, engineer Ho Quang Cua has successfully enhanced the quality and flavor of these rice varieties. Both ST25 and ST24 rice varieties share similar flavors and have made it to the top 3 best rice varieties in the world.

According to multiple news sources reporting on the World’s Best Rice competition in 2019, ST24 rice was initially announced as the first-place winner. However, after further deliberation by the judges, ST25 rice ultimately claimed the top spot. Engineer Ho Quang Cua explained that both rice varieties initially received the same score for their exceptional flavors, but ST25 rice prevailed due to its superior nutritional content and improved cultivation methods. While ST21 rice may not match the quality of the other two varieties, its affordable price and delectable aroma and texture continue to make it a popular choice among consumers.

Currently, Bach Hoa Xanh supermarkets offer both ST21 and ST24 rice varieties from trusted brands that have undergone rigorous food safety inspections.

For ST21 rice, a recommended brand is .

For ST24 rice, reputable brands include , , , and .

Reference:

Our store is the go-to destination for purchasing high-quality and affordable specialty rice varieties.