In the Test Kitchen
In the Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen
Episode 9: What makes rice the world’s staple?
24 minutes Posted Jun 19, 2026 at 7:00 am.
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Show notes
Every couple of months at America’s Test Kitchen, an informal poll emerges among test cooks about which starch–bread, pasta, or rice–reigns supreme. It’s always a tight race, but it’s no surprise why rice is often a top contender: it’s a beloved staple across the world. In this episode, Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey eat their way through 3 rice dishes and ask: What makes rice the world’s most popular dish? 
Recipes Mentioned:
Hoppin’ John
Simple Fried Rice
Arroz con Pollo
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