Australian Rice

Australian rice is the name commonly used in Lebanon for a medium-grain white rice with short, rounded grains that turn soft and slightly sticky when cooked. It is a familiar staple in Lebanese kitchens, often chosen for stuffing vine leaves, zucchini and eggplant in mehshi, and for sweet dishes such as riz bi haleeb, the classic rice pudding. Many households also cook it as an everyday side, plain or with toasted vermicelli, to serve alongside stews. At Dekenet Al Nes in Baaqline, in the Chouf, this rice is sold by the kilo in a package-free setting. Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers or bags and take the amount they need, which helps cut plastic waste and single-use packaging. Dekenet Al Nes is a solidarity initiative that aims to keep basic goods within reach of families and individuals.