September has a secret. It smells amazing.
Every year, September is designated as National Rice Month — a recognition established by USA Rice to honor the cultural, culinary, and nutritional significance of one of the world's most consumed staples. At OverSoyed™, we've taken it one step further: we celebrate rice not just on the table, but in the tub, on the vanity, and throughout the home.
Here's everything you need to know about the history of National Rice Month, the incredible legacy of rice around the world, and how to bring a little rice-inspired luxury into your self-care ritual.
A Grain That Changed the World
Rice is the oldest known food still consumed today. First cultivated approximately 7,000 years ago in southeastern Asia, this humble grain went on to feed empires, shape cultures, and define the daily lives of billions of people across the globe. Today, more than 40,000 varieties of rice are grown on every continent except Antarctica — making it one of the most adaptable crops on Earth.
The Chinese word for rice is the same as the word for "food" — a linguistic clue to how central the grain is to Chinese culture and daily life. In Japan, okome (uncooked rice) is considered a symbol of prosperity and purity. In India, rice is tied to ritual and ceremony, used in everything from weddings to temple offerings. In the American South, rice paddies shaped communities and cuisines that continue to influence American food culture to this day.
In the United States, nearly 85% of the rice we consume is grown domestically across six states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. USA Rice designated September as National Rice Month to celebrate this agricultural legacy and encourage everyday Americans to explore rice in all its forms.
The Four Types of Rice — And What Makes Each One Special
Not all rice is created equal. Here's a quick guide to the four main varieties and what sets them apart:
🤍 White Rice is the most familiar variety — milled to remove the outer bran layer for a soft, neutral texture. While it's the most widely consumed, it's also the least nutrient-dense of the four.
🟤 Brown Rice is the whole-grain version, retaining its bran and germ layers. It's rich in thiamine, iron, and zinc, with a heartier texture and a fuller flavor. It's also more filling than white rice, making it a popular choice for balanced meals.
🖤 Black Rice — sometimes called "forbidden rice" — is botanically classified as a distinct species. It's earthy, nutty, and beautiful to look at. With a very low glycemic index, it's particularly valued by those managing blood sugar levels. Its deep purple-black hue comes from anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in blueberries.
❤️ Red Rice shares many of black rice's nutritional properties, but shines in its antioxidant density. The rich red color comes from a class of compounds called proanthocyanidins — powerful antioxidants that support overall wellness.
How to Celebrate National Rice Month
🍚 In the Kitchen
Cook your way through varieties you've never tried. A pot of jambalaya, a slow-simmered rice pudding, a jasmine rice pilaf fragrant with cardamom and saffron, or a simple weeknight fried rice with fresh vegetables and sesame oil — every dish is a tiny celebration. Visit your local international grocery store and pick up a bag of something new: black rice, red cargo rice, sushi rice, or parboiled brown rice.
🛁 In Your Bath & Body Ritual
Rice has been a cornerstone of Asian beauty traditions for centuries. Rice water — the starchy liquid left over after rinsing or cooking rice — has been used for generations as a skin brightener, hair softener, and pore minimizer. Rice bran oil is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants. Rice flour gently exfoliates.
Today, rice-inspired ingredients appear in some of the most luxurious skincare and body care formulations on the market. At OverSoyed™, we've captured that essence in our Shea Butter & Rice Flower body care line — a customer favorite for its delicate floral-and-grain warmth that leaves skin feeling soft, nourished, and lightly scented.
🕯️ In Your Home Atmosphere
There's something deeply comforting about rice-inspired fragrance in the home. Clean, slightly sweet, warm without being heavy — it creates a sense of calm that few other scent profiles can match. Our Rice Milk soy pillar candle and Coconut Rice Milk warmer oil and body spritz deliver exactly that: creamy, subtle, enveloping fragrance that turns any room into a sanctuary.
📚 Explore & Learn
National Rice Month is also a wonderful opportunity to explore the culinary traditions of rice-centric cultures. Try making Japanese onigiri (rice balls) filled with savory fillings. Attempt a proper West African jollof rice, vibrant with tomatoes and spice. Recreate a Spanish paella or a Moroccan rice-stuffed pepper. Rice is a universal language — and September is the perfect time to speak it.
Rice at OverSoyed™: From Field to Fragrance
At OverSoyed™, we've long been inspired by the elegance of rice as a fragrance and ingredient. There's a reason our Shea Butter & Rice Flower scent is one of our most beloved: it captures the airy, delicate sweetness of rice blossoms — subtle enough to layer with other fragrances, distinct enough to stand beautifully on its own.
Our Rice Milk fragrance is a study in clean warmth — think a bowl of freshly made horchata on a warm evening, or the first pour of warm oat milk over your morning coffee. Lightly sweet, slightly powdery, deeply comforting.
And Coconut Rice Milk brings a tropical twist to that same clean warmth, blending the nuttiness of rice milk with the richness of coconut in a way that feels both luxurious and effortlessly livable.
Every product in our National Rice Month collection is handmade-to-order at our Pittsburgh studio — created with intention, finished with care, and shipped with love.
This Month Only: 20% OFF the National Rice Month Collection
All September, enjoy 20% OFF our rice-inspired candles, body care, and home fragrance — automatically applied at checkout. No coupon code needed. And yes, it stacks with other offers.
🛒 Shop the National Rice Month Collection →
National Rice Month is observed annually in September, as designated by USA Rice.