(Pre-Order) Blonde Milled California Japonica

Japonica [ja·​pon·​i·​ca] is a medium grain rice originating from Japan that is extremely versatile and exhibits a sweet and complex flavor.

It is excellent for sushi and all Japanese and Korean dishes but is versatile enough for use in a risotto, stir fry, or any other rice dish, or even stand alone as a side! It tends to have a sticky, rather than flaky, texture.

The Goldilocks of Rice: A Happy and Healthy Medium

For those who prefer the taste and texture of white rice but avoid it in favor of more nutrient-rich brown rice, haiga-mai style rice is the best of both worlds!

Our Blonde Milled California Japonica is semi-polished in the haiga-mai style in which only some of the outer bran layer is removed, retaining the nutritious and oil-rich germ prized by health-conscious fans of brown rice.

The result is an easily digestible, quickly-cooking grain with the subtle, delicate flavor and smooth texture of white rice and much of the vitamins, minerals, and oils of unpolished brown rice.

We know that the “organic” label is looked upon highly in the food industry, but for us at Chico Rice there were several reasons that went into the decision to discontinue the organic certification. The biggest one being that we found the approved organic practices were using significantly more of California’s precious water resources to produce a lower quality rice. 

Even though we no longer have the label of “Organic,” we’ll continue to use the best regenerative practices to enhance soil health and benefit the myriad species of wildlife that make our farm home, while also ensuring we are as water efficient as possible. 

We recommend you store our rice in a cool dark place, like your pantry, for the longest shelf life. To fully enjoy the flavors of our freshly milled rice, we recommend consuming it within 2 months. However, left unopened our rice has a 12 month shelf life. For longer storage, you can refrigerate or freeze it in a freezer safe bag.

To keep rice fresh, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from heat and sunlight. Use it within 6 months to a year and limit container openings. For long-term storage, freeze rice in a vacuum-sealed bag.

For perfect results every time, we recommend the use of a rice cooker. Otherwise, excellent rice can be made on the stovetop with the following steps:

1. Rinse 1 cup of our fresh Blonde Milled California Japonica Rice until water runs clear

2. Add rice to 1.5 cups of gently boiling water in a medium saucepan with a TIGHT lid

3. Simmer on LOW for 20 minutes. DO NOT LIFT THE LID.

4. Remove from heat, keep covered, and let stand for 10 minutes.

5. Fluff it, butter it, season however you like and ENJOY, knowing you're eating the freshest, best tasting rice that good earth and hard work can provide.

Yes! Blonde rice is a nutritious option due to its retention of vitamins and minerals that help maintain overall health and metabolic processes. It has a lower glycemic index, good dietary fiber, and is gluten-free. It's a healthier choice than white rice for those seeking improved blood sugar control, digestive health and energy.

Many folks don't realize that both our brown and blonde rice come from the same field! In fact, they are the same rice. For our brown rice we remove the inedible outer layer, called the husk. Leaving the nutritious bran layer and the germ completely intact, which help to keep you fuller, longer. For our blonde rice we subjected it to an abrasive process which removes a portion of the bran layer, exposing the lighter colored inner layers. This allows the kernel to be more easily penetrated by moisture and heat, thus the shorter cooking time along with featuring the health benefits of brown rice with the taste and texture of white rice.