Red rice in the US is an aggressive weed that reduces the yield of rice and contaminates its grain. It is the
same species as rice, which provides an opportunity for intercrossing. This genetic similarity complicates
the management of red rice in fields and rice mills, but also indicates a potential for its use in rice
breeding or niche markets. Physicochemical and cooking quality characteristics, which are important
components of consumer desirability for rice, are virtually unknown for red rice. Thus, a survey of red
rice accessions and rice red rice crosses was conducted to characterize these traits. Grain amylose
levels of most indigenous red rice accessions were similar to those of high amylose indica cultivars from
Asia. Amylose levels in crosses were highly variable, ranging as low as those in medium-grain
commercial rice to as high as those in long-grains. Alkali spreading value was generally greater in awned
than in awnless red rice accessions and the aroma chemical, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, was detected in two
red rice crosses. The generally high seed amylose levels in red rice indicate that its cooking quality would
not be suitable for most common uses of US rice, but may be acceptable for niche uses.