Rice

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

The rice is one of the most ancient foods known since about 5000 BC. Annual rice ceremonies have been held in China since about 2300 BC. Rice is believed to have originated in India and Thailand.

The rice became popular in the West through researchers, soldiers, and merchants who brought it there. It is very pretentious to the climate in which it is grown, as it requires a large amount of rainfall immediately after planting, followed by very hot, sunny weather. The climate is favorable for growing rice in the American South - Carolina, Arkansas, which are currently one of the largest producers. Rice is also grown in some parts of Italy and Spain.

Many crops treat rice in a special way. In Japan and Indonesia, rice has its own God. The Chinese dedicate an entire day of their New Year's celebrations to the rice harvest. In some Asian cultures, rice is considered to be the link between heaven and earth. In India it is believed the rice is important for the origin and from there originates the tradition of throwing rice at weddings.

Rice usually differs in grain length, it can be long, medium or short. Long grain rice creates a light and fluffy texture because the grains do not stick together. This species is often used in dishes such as pilaf and is grown in Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana and Texas in the United States, as well as Thailand, Italy, Spain and Suriname.

Composition of rice

Rice is a good source of fiber, which is extremely important for good intestinal health. Rice is also rich in carbohydrates and generally has less fat. It also contains vitamin B, potassium and phosphorus.

Both white and brown rice are equally beneficial to humans. A cup of white rice contains approximately the same amount of calories as brown rice, but has far less fat (0.8 grams for white rice versus 2.4 grams for brown rice). On the other hand, brown rice has a much higher fiber content (2.8 grams of dietary fiber in brown versus 0.6 grams in white). Most of the other nutritional values are similar in both varieties.

Selection and storage of rice

Rice should be stored at home in boxes and bags placed in cool, ventilated and dry rooms. It has the ability to absorb odors, so products that can give it an aroma should not be stored near it. The shelf life of rice in the above conditions is up to one year. Already cooked rice can be stored in a closed container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

When choosing rice in stores, pay attention to its consistency - the package should not have glued grains due to mold or mildew. The price of different types of rice varies, the cheapest being fine-grained white rice. You can already find specialized types of rice on the market, such as sushi or paella, intended only for the preparation of these dishes. Their price varies between BGN 2 and 3 for 500 g.

Types of Rice

Medium-grained rice sticks more when cooked and is therefore used in dishes such as risotto or paella and in some desserts. This species is grown in many of the same places as the long-grain variety, and also in Australia.

Short-grain rice is almost round in shape and is used in a number of Eastern cuisines, as well as in the Caribbean. It is especially popular for making Japanese sushi, as it sticks quite easily. This variety is also used in desserts and is very popular in most Asian countries.

Processed rice is the most popular variety in many Western European countries. The process of processing rice is related to the fact that it is placed under steam under pressure before being processed. This makes the beans harder, which helps prevent them from digesting. This process also helps the rice retain some of the important vitamins and minerals it contains.

Instant rice is pre-cooked rice that is dehydrated and packaged. However, the dehydration process removes much of the aroma of the rice.

Aromatic rice is a variety that contains natural ingredients that give it a fragrant aroma and taste. The types of aromatic rice are:

Basmati rice - grown in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains of India and Pakistan. It can be both white and brown. Its beans do not stick together during cooking.

Jasmine rice - it is slightly thinner than basmati rice and is grown in Thailand. It is a long-grain rice and its grains stick together during cooking.

Texmati rice - this is a hybrid, a cross between basmati and long grain white rice. It is not as sharp in taste as basmati and is light and fluffy when cooked.

Uehani rice - brown rice from the same family as basmati. When cooked it looks like wild rice.

Culinary application of rice

Rice is prepared by boiling or steaming, and in the process of cooking it absorbs a large amount of water. Sometimes before cooking, the rice is fried for a while, thus becoming a little more sticky. Rice is an integral part of many soups, dishes with vegetables and meat, sushi and many others.

In Asian countries, its cultivation eating rice is an integral part of life and culture. In many countries, some of the traditional dishes are based on rice. Such are our well-known paella in Spain or the stuffed peppers and sarma in us, which would be unthinkable without the delicious berries.

Rice is also quite popular for making various desserts. Its taste is wonderfully emphasized by honey, sugar and milk. By boiling (so that its grains fall apart) rice pulp is obtained. Rice is part of various types of puddings, cakes, creams. Rice milk is not only popular in our country, but is also a traditional dessert in neighboring Turkey, where it is known as Sutliash. Raisins and various other types of dried fruits or spices, such as fragrant cinnamon, can be added to rice desserts. The rice and pumpkin pudding is also incredibly tasty.

Benefits of rice

Regular consumption of rice prevents the development of a number of chronic diseases, and also improves the appearance. Rice contains amino acids that help form new cells. It has a good effect on the stomach and intestines, rice decoction stops diarrhea, and cooked in fresh milk helps cleanse the intestines.

Rice has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. It is useful in diseases of the bladder and kidneys, and after illness helps to strengthen the appetite. The high content of vitamin B in rice is also important for the healthy appearance of our skin, hair and nails. Regular eating of rice dishes has a beneficial effect on our overall health, of course, if you do not overdo it.

Rice decoction is recommended for bronchitis and bronchial asthma. If you add a little mint to the rice decoction, you will get an excellent remedy for colds, flu and pneumonia. After an illness, when our body has weakened, feeding rice is an excellent option for strengthening.

There are many diets for weight loss and diets with rice. One of them is purifying the body with rice, the course lasts about 2 weeks and you need as many spoons of rice as you are. The amount of rice is poured into a jar, filled with water and stored in the refrigerator. Consume 1 tbsp every morning. of rice pre-cooked in water.

Preparing rice can be a real challenge, so we have collected hundreds of tried and tested recipes for delicious rice such as chicken with rice, pork with rice, lean rice, rice with tomatoes, cabbage with rice, paella and milk with rice.