| Buying Guide - Rice |
Rice, a cereal grain, is the second most produced grain in the world after maize. Rice is the staple food of a large part of the global populace, especially Asia, Latin America, Middle East and West Indies. Typically, an annual crop, rice grows as a perennial plant in tropical areas.
Rice is eaten in the form of white rice, brown rice, parboiled rice or rice flour. Other forms of rice are also popular such as rice bran, noodles, and puffed rice. Rice grains are classified into long-grain, medium-grain, and short-grain. Long-grain rice is usually more expensive, and it does not stick together after cooking. Medium- grain and short-grain rice is sticky and more often used in making sweet dishes, Italian risotto, and similar dishes.
Types of rice
Rice is grown in many countries across the world and many variants exist. Two varieties are discussed here:
Basmati rice
Basmati is long-grain rice that is grown in India and Pakistan. It is characterized by its delicate fragrance. It comes in two varieties – brown and white basmati rice. Traditional and hybrid varieties of basmati are available in the market of which the following are approved:
Thai rice
Thai rice can be long-grain, medium-grain or short-grain rice with aroma. Varieties of Thai rice are:
A wide variety of rice is processed and sold in the market. Rice crops have been genetically modified to increase yield. Droughts in major rice producing countries such as Australia have led to spike in rice rates.
