Rice is a cereal grain and monocot; a plant with a seed that has one embryonic leaf. The only two types of cultivated rice are African rice (Oryza glaberrima) and Asian rice (Oryza sativa). The plant itself grows between 90-150cm.

Rice is cooked by boiling, or it can be ground into a flour. It is eaten alone and in a great variety of soups, side dishes, and main dishes in Asian, Middle Eastern, and many other cuisines. Other products in which rice is used are breakfast cereals, noodles, and such alcoholic beverages as Japanese sake.

Rice is a grain that is the main food of about half the world's population. It belongs to the grassfamily. Its scientific name is Oryza sativa. The grain known as wild rice, despite its name, comes from a different plant.