Move over, Roman concrete...sticky rice just entered the chat

Just ran across this article from 2010 about the "secret sauce" in the mortar of the Great wall:

Article on sticky rice in GW lime mortar

I like this quote from the abstract:

Moreover, the amylopectin in the lime mortar was found to act as an inhibitor; the growth of the calcium carbonate crystals is controlled by its presence, and a compact structure results, which may explain the enhanced performance of this organic−inorganic composite compared to single-component lime mortar.

Serious question... Does anyone know a cost-comparison? Sticky rice versus typical concrete agglomerate/conglomerate?

If I were living and attempting to do some natural building in China, I would most surely see what rice could do as a building material. Good on them.