In the list of drugstores in the Philippines, you won’t find one that sells rice- unless it’s way out in the province, probably.
Did you know? Rice is actually a seed! It’s a cereal grain and is the staple food of most people in Asia. It provides one fifth of the caloric intake of humans around world.
Rice was introduced to Southeast and South Asia from East Asia, to Europe from Western Asia, and to the Americas by the Europe. It is a tropical plant that can live up to two years.
In many cultures, rice represents prosperity, beauty, nourishment, and even fertility. This is why we toss rice during weddings.
There are thousands upon thousands of types of rice around the world, but here’s a look at the several types of rice which are most popular.
Image Source: chandrikarice.com
Brown rice
Some varieties of rice that still have their bran layers- such as Jason- provide many nutrients important to the body. Among these nutrients are B vitamins, magnesium, and bone-building phosphorus. It also provides a good amount of fiber that can slow digestion, which helps avoid binges of junk food. Plus it has a great nutty flavor.
Sprouted rice
Sprouted rice is rice that has already been germinated, which means that the rice is already growing into a plant. The germination increases the nutrients that the rice provides. Studies have shown that the germinated rice has higher levels of a compound called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that improves the mood and the heart’s health. This kind of rice is also easier to digest and cook, since the germination has softened the hard outer shell.
Wild rice
Wild rice isn’t actually rice. It’s the seed of aquatic grass. Indigenous people harvest wild rice by canoe, but much of the wild rice sold at supermarkets have been cultivated paddies made by man. Wild rice has many nutrients such as zinc, which boosts immunity and testosterone, phosphorus, B vitamins, and phosphate, and even folate. It has a nutty, smoky flavor, which makes it great together with salads and soups.
Image Source: naked-science.ru
Black rice
Don’t confuse black rice with sticky black rice or wild rice, since this kind of rice isn’t sticky. This rice turns purple when cooked, which makes your meal eye catching because of the pop of color. It used to be called the Forbidden Rice in China, since only emperors were allowed to eat prized grains in ancient China.
Wehani rice
This is another kind of rice that is slow to digest. This can fuel you for a long time, since burned carbohydrates provide most of the energy we need to do day-to-day activities. This whole grain rice is a good choice to eat to fuel you for a long day ahead.
And lastly, white rice. It’s the most popular kind of rice, but it is the least nutritious. This is because it has been bleached and its bran has been removed. It is mostly quick-digesting carbohydrates.
It’s still up to you which kind of rice you want to make up most of your diet, as long as you eat it in moderation.
Author’s Biography
Pam De Guzman, a.k.a the kid from the North, is a frustrated writer, event organizer, business owner and an aspiring director and writer of a personal/fashion/movie/book/travel blog. She’ll be writing about pretty much anything under the sun.