Why are rice dumplings made with glutinous rice?

The main reasons for using glutinous rice to make rice dumplings are that it is sticky, rich in flavor, able to wrap the fillings, and traditional customs.

1, glutinous rice has viscosity

Glutinous rice has higher viscosity and stickiness compared to ordinary rice. This allows the glutinous rice to stick together better after cooking, forming a tightly packed dumpling shape.

2. Rich texture

Glutinous rice has a soft and sticky texture, and chews with a unique texture and elasticity that is different from other rice grains. This makes dumplings made from glutinous rice more chewy and flavorful.

3. Able to wrap fillings

Sticky rice has strong adhesion and plasticity, which makes it suitable for wrapping other ingredients (such as meat, bean paste, red dates, etc.) in it. In this way, after cooking, the fillings inside the rice dumplings can be tightly bonded with the glutinous rice, resulting in a richer flavor.

4. Traditional Customs

Sticky rice has an important place in traditional Chinese foods, such as soup dumplings and rice cakes. As one of the traditional Chinese foods, glutinous rice is also used as the main ingredient of Zongzi, which is in line with the traditional customs and taste preferences.

The origin of glutinous rice:

The earliest cultivation history of glutinous rice can be traced back to the late Neolithic period, around 6,000 BC. According to archaeological research, some early remains of glutinous rice have been found in sites in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi in China, indicating that glutinous rice was already one of the important food crops in southern China as early as the ancient times.

The cultivation of glutinous rice requires special planting, processing and cooking methods compared with ordinary rice. Glutinous rice plants have a long growing period and require a suitably moist and warm environment. On the farm, glutinous rice is grown in a similar way to other rice grains, but cultivation methods and rice harvesting differ.

Glutinous rice plays an important role in the traditional Chinese diet and is widely used to make a variety of delicacies, such as zongzi (rice dumplings), rice cakes, and soup dumplings. Due to its unique stickiness and texture, glutinous rice food is often an important food for special festivals or celebrations. The origin of glutinous rice is closely related to China's long history of farming and food culture, and is now also widely cultivated and used in many other Asian countries and regions.