Rice is a staple food for many cultures around the world. It’s versatile, inexpensive, and easy to cook. Rice is often measured by volume using cups or fractions of cups. However, nutrition information and recipes may list the rice amount by weight in grams. So an important question is: Is 100 grams of rice equal to 1 cup?
The Short Answer
In general, 100 grams of uncooked white rice is approximately equal to 1/2 cup. However, the exact conversion depends on the type and variety of rice.
For example:
- 100 grams long grain white rice = 1/2 cup
- 100 grams basmati rice = 1/2 cup
- 100 grams jasmine rice = 1/2 cup
- 100 grams arborio rice = 3/4 cup
- 100 grams brown rice = 1 cup
So while 100 grams is close to 1/2 cup for most types of white rice, the conversion is not exact. Measuring by weight or volume can make a difference in recipes. Continue reading for more details on converting between grams and cups of various rice varieties.
Details on Converting Grams to Cups for Different Rice Types
Here is more information on the gram to cup conversion for some common types of rice:
Long Grain White Rice
Long grain white rice is a very common type of white rice. The grains are long and slender. Some examples are basmati, jasmine, and Carolina rice.
100 grams of dry, uncooked long grain white rice equals about 1/2 cup. However, the exact amount can range from 3/8 cup to 5/8 cup depending on factors like the brand, grain size, and degree of processing.
For example, 100 grams of jasmine rice may be slightly less than 100 grams of basmati rice by volume. But in general, you can substitute 100 grams long grain white rice for 1/2 cup in recipes.
Medium Grain White Rice
Medium grain white rice has a shorter, wider grain compared to long grain. Examples include Calrose and Arborio rice.
100 grams of uncooked medium grain rice is also approximately equal to 1/2 cup. But again, the exact amount can range from 3/8 to 5/8 cup depending on the rice variety.
Arborio rice used for risotto is on the wider side, so 100 grams equals about 3/4 cup.
Short Grain White Rice
Short grain white rice has plump, almost round grains. Some examples are mochi rice and sushi rice.
100 grams of short grain rice is approximately 1/2 cup but can range from 1/3 to 2/3 cup.
The very short, glutinous grains used to make mochi (Japanese rice cake) absorb the most water, so 100 grams equals about 2/3 cup.
Brown Rice
Brown rice has the bran and germ still attached to the grain, so it is more nutritious than white rice. The grain is also slightly wider.
When measuring brown rice, 100 grams weighs more than white rice. 100 grams of dry, uncooked brown rice equals approximately 1 cup.
But the conversion can range from 3/4 cup to 1 1/4 cups for different brands and rice varieties like long grain, medium grain, or short grain.
Converted Rice
Converted rice has been partially pre-cooked and then dehydrated. This process changes the texture and speeds up cooking times.
Because converted rice is less dense than regular white rice, 100 grams weighs less by volume. 100 grams of uncooked converted rice equals about 3/4 cup.
Wild Rice
Wild rice is not actually rice at all. It is the seed of an aquatic grass grown naturally in the Great Lakes region.
The long, irregularly-shaped grains absorb different amounts of water. 100 grams of uncooked wild rice equals 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of volume.
Metric and US Customary Rice Measurement Conversions
For convenience, here are some common rice measurements converted between grams and US customary volumes:
| Rice Type | Grams | US Customary Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Long grain white rice | 100g | 1/2 cup |
| Medium grain white rice | 100g | 1/2 cup |
| Short grain white rice | 100g | 1/2 cup |
| Brown rice | 100g | 1 cup |
| Wild rice | 100g | 1 1/4 cups |
| White rice | 150g | 3/4 cup |
| Brown rice | 185g | 1 cup |
| White rice | 200g | 1 cup |
| Wild rice | 200g | 2 1/2 cups |
| White rice | 1 kilogram | 6 cups |
| Brown rice | 1 kilogram | 8 cups |
Variables that Affect Rice Gram to Cup Conversions
There are several reasons why gram to cup conversions can vary between different types and brands of rice. Here are some of the key factors:
Grain Size and Shape
– Grain length – Long grain rice weighs less per cup than short grain.
– Grain width – Wider grains take up more volume.
– Grain texture – Softer, stickier grains absorb more water by volume.
Processing
– Milling – Brown rice weighs more than white rice with the outer bran layers removed.
– Polishing – More polished white rice weighs less than less processed rice per cup.
– Precooking – Converted rice is less dense than regular white rice.
Variety
– There are thousands of different rice varieties which can have different densities.
– Origin and cultivar – Rice from different geographic regions can vary in cup weight.
– Freshness – Older rice dries out and weighs less per cup. New crop rice is denser.
Cooking Method
– Absorption – Rice expands when cooked. 1 cup dry makes 2 to 3 cups cooked.
– Water ratio – Using more water makes rice expand more when cooked.
– Rinsing – Rinsing removes surface starch, resulting in fluffier cooked rice.
Measurement
– Weighing error – Differences in scales can cause gram variances.
– Cup measure – Packing rice tightly or loosely changes volume.
– Cup size – 1 US cup is 236 ml. Rice cups and nutrition info may vary.
Weight vs Volume for Rice Recipes
Whether it’s better to use grams or cup measurements for rice depends on the type of recipe:
Use Grams for Precision
Measuring rice by weight in grams is more precise. The weight of rice does not change, while the volume can vary.
For recipes where rice consistency is critical, like rice pudding or risotto, grams provide reliable results.
Use Cups for Convenience
In recipes where the exact amount of rice is less critical, volume measurements in cups or fractions of cups are convenient.
Cups work well for everyday rice cooking and recipes where approximating the rice is fine. The cup lines inside rice cookers also make cups easier.
Provide Both
When publishing recipes, it’s helpful to provide the rice quantity in both grams and cup equivalents.
This allows readers to choose the measurement they prefer and understand how much rice is needed.
For example:
1 cup (185 grams) uncooked brown rice
2 cups (400 grams) uncooked white rice
Providing both measurements improves recipe clarity.
Tips for Measuring Rice
Follow these tips for accurate rice measurements in recipes:
Weighing Rice in Grams
– Use a digital kitchen scale for gram accuracy. Check your scale’s margin of error.
– Make sure the scale is on a flat, even surface and tarred before weighing.
– Weigh rice in the same container you’ll cook it in for less mess.
– Add rice slowly and allow the display to stabilize between additions for precision.
Measuring Rice by Volume
– Use clear dry measuring cups designed for dry ingredients to measure rice volume.
– Spoon rice loosely into the cup without packing or shaking to the brim.
– Level off the top surface using a straight edge like a butter knife. Don’t compress.
– For fractions, use proper fraction measuring cups, not approximations.
General Tips
– Measure white rice before rinsing which removes some starch and reduces volume.
– Measure brown rice after rinsing to account for any absorption.
– Allow rice to fully dry if pre-soaked before measuring volume.
– Match the instruction units. Don’t substitute grams for cups or vice versa.
Cooking the Measured Rice
Once you’ve accurately measured out the rice, it’s time to cook it. Here are some tips:
– For stove top, use a pot with a tight fitting lid and plenty of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer until done.
– For rice cookers, use the provided cup lines for water amounts. Press the cook button and let it switch to warm when finished.
– For absorption method baking, mix rice with liquid like broth or coconut milk. Cover and bake at 375°F until liquid is absorbed.
– For pilaf method baking, boil rice first before mixing with other ingredients and baking uncovered.
– Check rice packages for any additional brand-specific cooking instructions.
– Let rice sit covered for 5-10 minutes after cooking to finish steaming. Fluff with a fork before serving.
The right ratio of rice to water is key for getting perfectly cooked grains. Having accurate measurements helps ensure success.
Conclusion
While 100 grams of rice is close to 1 cup, the exact conversion depends on factors like rice variety, grain shape, processing method, and measurement technique.
For most white rice types, 100g is approximately equivalent to 1/2 cup. Brown rice equals 1 cup per 100g. Measuring by weight gives more precision, while volume is more convenient.
Providing both gram and cup amounts in recipes is helpful. When cooking rice, using the right ratio of water, proper technique, and accurate measuring leads to consistently delicious results.
