Rice On: A Great Way to Add Nutrients, Body and Soul

Whether you’re on the vegetarian track or would like to be, rice is a great way to add important B vitamins and fiber to your diet.  It is an important part of the daily diet of over half the world–and a sacred ingredient in places like Tibet and Indonesia, where the rice goddess Dewi Sri–and rice– are believed to have a spirit and a soul.   There are a ton of varieties to choose from–about 120,000 to be more precise.  So how do you choose?

Well, it isn’t easy, but each rice has its own set of culinary qualities.  Here’s a rundown of those most commonly consumed:

Arborio

My personal favorite. This classic Italian rice is used in dishes like risotto. Arborio has the ability to absorb flavor, and a lovely creamy consistency. It takes on the flavor of your favorite sauces or condiments easily and that makes it twice as yummy.

Basmati

A staple of the Indian diet, basmati is an aromatic long-grain rice, with a hint of roasted nuts.

Black

Black rice hails from China and Thailand. When cooked it turns a dark purple. It has a nice nutty flavor, and retains its firmness when cooked.

Brown

Any variety of rice that has had its husk removed but isn‘t milled is considered brown rice. This rice is chewier, has more nutrients, and takes longer to cook.

Jasmine

This rice is used quite a bit in Thai cooking. Jasmine rice sticks together a bit more than others, and has a nutty, floral scent.

RedRed rice has an earthy flavor and is kind of chewy in consistency. It can also take a bit longer than other varieties to cook.

Sweet

Sweet rice is also known as glutinous rice (minus the gluten–not sure how that works). The grains are both long and short, with a chalky white kernel. Sweet rice often loses its shape, and can get a little sticky and chewy when you cook it.

Wild

Wild rice is actually a seed grown from a type of grass in the United States. A big favorite (and considered a sacred grain) of Native Americans, this rice is actually harvested from a canoe.

This is all very healthy stuff.  And a great way to fill your tummy if you’re on a budget or going meatless.  To take it to the next level, say your own form of grace over rice before eating.  It is a traditional way of giving thanks to the sun, earth and the farmers who grow these grains for the bounty they provide. 

Enjoy and Peace.