How to Make Rice Glue

Last Updated: September 15, 2021

Rice glue is used a lot in Japanese paper crafts and the making of kanzashi. The benefit of rice glue is that it dries hard and almost transparent, which is ideal for many paper crafts. Rice glue can be bought in an oriental supermarket or it can be made at home. Here you'll learn how to make it at home and it can be stored in a jar in the fridge.

Ingredients

Makes two cups of glue:
1 cup rice (preferably sticky rice like basmati or sushi rice)
3-4 cups water

Steps

1
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to the boil.
2
Lower the temperature and simmer for 45 minutes.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Check its consistency. It should look a bit like oatmeal (porridge)––if it still looks rice-like, add more water and keep cooking.^{[2]
X
Research source}
4
When it looks like oatmeal, remove it from the heat and let it cool thoroughly.
5
Push the mixture through a sieve to remove the larger pieces. Alternatively, put in a blender (you might need to add a little bit more water). Pour into a suitable storage jar.^{[3]
X
Research source}
6
Store in the refrigerator. Use as required; apply from the jar using a glue brush.^{[4]
X
Research source}
7
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

When refrigerated for a week, it apparently fermented and became malodorous. Is there any way to prevent this?

Community Answer

Yes, put about 30 drops of clove oil in it and stir. Clove oil is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial and smells good too.
Question

Is rice glue waterproof?

Community Answer

No, rice glue is not waterproof.
Question

I am interested in adding coloring to this project. What type should I use?

Community Answer

You can use food coloring as it has a deep color and comes in many varieties.