This article will provide you with expert knowledge in distinguishing and comparing ST21 rice of Vietnam and MeiXiangZhan rice of China. Which is the better choice for wholesale customers? Follow along below to find the answer!

Overview of ST21 rice and MeiXiangZhan rice

What are some outstanding characteristics of the two types of rice?

ST21 Rice from Vietnam

ST21 is a long grain rice premium fragrant rice variety, the quality of rice is superior to other types of fragrant rice. Rice with good yield is widely cultivated by farmers across the country, especially Soc Trang rice granary. Currently, ST21 rice is one of the most popular rice varieties in the Mekong Delta.

ST21 Rice from Vietnam

Annually, China imports a substantial quantity of aromatic ST21 rice from Vietnam, highly favored by Chinese consumers. Additionally, ST21 rice is exported to various Asian countries, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Developed by engineer Ho Quang Cua and collaborators at the Institute of Rice Research and Development, ST21 rice is a long-grain aromatic rice variety. It is widely cultivated in provinces such as Dong Thap, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Can Tho, among others.

ST21 rice has the outstanding characteristics of small, elongated rice grains, clear white color, and no whiteness. Rice has a light aroma. When cooked, the rice has a sweet, soft taste, the rice grains stick together evenly and are eye-catching, and the aroma spreads clearly. Rice remains soft when cooled.
ST21 rice has high nutritional content, with rich protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. It is considered a healthy food, helping to provide energy and nutrients to the body.

ST21 rice is exported to many countries around the world, with high export value. Therefore, it is considered representative of Vietnam’s long-grain fragrant rice.

Compared to other types of fragrant rice, ST21 rice has the following outstanding advantages:

Rice grains are small, elongated, clear white, not gray, suitable for Vietnamese taste.
The fragrance is gentle, pleasant, and clearly diffused.
Cooked rice is soft and supple, has a sweet taste, and the rice grains stick evenly and do not fall apart.
Rice remains soft when cooled.
High nutritional content, good for health.

MeiXiangZhan Rice from China

MeiXiangZhan rice is a famous Chinese fragrant rice, grown mainly in Jiangsu province. This rice has long grain, ivory white color, when cooked, it has a characteristic aroma, sweet taste, soft rice, and is very popular with consumers. However, Meixianzhan rice also has some disadvantages such as high price, easy to be mushy and difficult to preserve due to its high water content, making it susceptible to mold.

MeiXiangZhan rice is grown from high-yield rice varieties, with good resistance to pests and diseases. The process of cultivating and harvesting rice is also carried out according to strict procedures, ensuring rice quality meets standards.

MeiXiangZhan rice can be used to cook many different dishes, such as white rice, sticky rice, porridge, cakes, etc. In particular, this rice is very suitable for cooking traditional Chinese dishes, such as fried rice, Yangzhou fried rice,…

Currently, MeiXiangZhan rice has been imported and widely distributed in Vietnam. This is a great choice for those who love the delicious taste of Chinese fragrant rice.

Some information about MeiXiangZhan rice:

Rice type: Fragrant rice
Rice grains: Long, ivory white
Aroma: Characteristic, sweet
Taste: Sweet
Rice quality: Soft
How to use: Cook white rice, sticky rice, porridge, cakes,…
From China

Similarities between ST21 rice and Mei Xiang Zhan rice.

ST21 rice and MeiXiangZhan rice are both renowned aromatic rice in Vietnam and China respectively. These two rice types share the following similarities:

Both varieties have small, round, opaque white grains.
When cooked, they emit a distinctive aroma and possess a sticky, chewy texture.
Cultivated in fertile, loamy soil with a mild and cool climate.
Produced following a comprehensive process ensuring high-quality standards are met.

Differences between ST21 rice and MeiXiangZhan rice

Besides the common points, between the two types of ST21 rice and MeiXiangZhan rice, there are some differences that need to be noted for buyers.

Origin

In terms of origin, ST21 rice is a purebred rice variety originating from Vietnam, researched and developed by the National Rice Research and Development Center. On the other hand, MeiXiangZhan rice is a hybrid rice variety from China, bred through the hybridization of the Long Xiang and Huang Chao aromatic rice varieties.

Taste

ST21 rice has a delicious, unique flavor, suitable for Vietnamese people’s taste. Rice cooked from ST21 rice has a sweet taste and a gentle, faint aroma. MeiXiangZhan rice has a rich, aromatic flavor, typical of japonica rice. Rice cooked from MeiXiangZhan rice is sweet, sticky, fragrant, and has the characteristic aroma of japonica rice.

Differences between ST21 rice and MeiXiangZhan rice

Price

In the world market, the price of ST21 rice is also higher than Meixiangzhan rice. Both ST21 and Meixiangzhan rice types are of high quality, with long, white, sticky, and delicious rice grains. However, ST21 rice has a lower amylose content than Meixiangzhan rice, so it has more elasticity and softer rice.
ST21 rice has a delicious, richer flavor than Meixiangzhan rice. ST21 rice has the characteristic aroma of sticky rice, and when cooked, the rice has a sweet aroma.

Characteristics of Rice Varieties

ST21 rice and MeiXiangZhan rice are both high-yielding rice varieties extensively cultivated in Vietnam and China. Each rice variety possesses distinct characteristics that cater to farming conditions and consumer preferences.

ST21 rice is a hybrid between the IR64 and Nang Hoa 9 rice varieties. It is characterized by long, opaque white grains, offering a soft, sticky texture with a delightful aroma. Notably, it has low amylose content, making it well-suited to the taste preferences of Vietnamese consumers. ST21 rice exhibits good resistance to pests and diseases, high productivity, and adaptability to various farming conditions.
MeiXiangZhan rice, a hybrid of the japonica rice varieties Yamada Nishiki and Japonica 9311, also features long, opaque white grains, providing a sticky texture and a distinctive aroma typical of japonica rice. MeiXiangZhan rice showcases excellent pest and disease resistance, high productivity, and adaptability to diverse agricultural conditions.

Characteristics of Rice Varieties

External characteristics of rice grains

ST21 rice has rice grains about 6.2-6.5mm long, about 2.7-3.0mm wide, with a length/width ratio of about 2:1. Rice grains are cylindrical in shape, slightly tapering towards both ends. MeiXiangZhan rice has rice grains about 6.0-6.3mm long, about 2.6-2.8mm wide, with a length/width ratio of about 2.3:1. Rice grains are cylindrical in shape, slightly tapering towards both ends.

In general, the external characteristics of ST21 rice grains and MeiXiangZhan rice are quite similar. However, these two types of rice can be distinguished based on the length/width ratio of the rice grain. ST21 rice has a higher length/width ratio (2:1) than MeiXiangZhan rice (2.3:1).

Characteristics of Rice Grains

Nutritional content

ST21 rice has a low amylose content, approximately 18-20%. This low amylose content contributes to the soft, sticky texture of ST21 rice, making it easily digestible and suitable for the elderly, children, and individuals with health concerns. Additionally, ST21 rice contains a high protein content, around 7.5-8.0%, providing nutritional benefits for the body.

MeiXiangZhan rice features a moderate amylose content, approximately 20-22%. This moderate amylose content results in the sticky, aromatic nature of MeiXiangZhan rice, showcasing the distinctive fragrance associated with japonica rice. Similar to ST21 rice, MeiXiangZhan rice also contains a high protein content, about 7.5-8.0%, offering nutritional value to the body.