Well, I am from the south but more hill country. I did not grow uo eating rice...uncle Ben or rice a ronnie maybe. We had potatoes at most dinners..still love mashed potatoes
Anyway..fast foward.. Living in south Florida the culture is most decidedly rice eaters. I now have a rice cooker and make rice often. My younger brother was married to a girl from Japan and she taught me how to cook rice. You are right...there are many different types of rice and each has it's own flavor and texture .
I now love coscous .. Prepared with some red onion, feta cheese, lemons oh my