Types of Rice
There are three main types of rice.
Long Grain
Long and slender, these grains are 4 to 5 times as long as they are
wide. Cooked grains remain separate and fluffy. The perfect choice for
side dish, main dish or salad recipes.
Medium Grain
Plump, but not round. When cooked, the grains are more moist and
tender than long grain rice. Ideal for dessert, casserole, bread and
stir-fry recipes.
Short Grain
Almost round, the cooked grains tend to cling together when cooked.
Great for stir-fry recipes and puddings.
Forms of Rice
Brown Rice
Rice from which only the hull as been removed. When cooked, it has a
slightly chewy texture and nut-like flavor. This is a natural source of
bran. It cooks in approximately 40-45 minutes.
Parboiled Rice
Contrary perhaps to popular belief, parboiled rice is quite nutritious,
being an excellent source of niacin, a good source of thiamin and
magnesium and a moderate source of protein, iron and zinc. Levels of
vitamins and minerals fall between white rice and brown rice.
Parboiling is achieved in the following way. The rough rice is first soaked,
then steamed either under pressure or without pressure, and subsequently dried
before removing the hulls. This results in a toughening of the endosperm and
less breakage. Also, minerals and vitamins present in the bran and embryo move
into the grain to some extent, so parboiled rice is higher in these nutrients
than rice hulled without parboiling.
Parboiled rice is widely used in the catering industry as it is less sticky
when cooked. It is good in salads and retains its flavour and quality when kept
hot for serving large numbers of people.
When covered with hot tap water and left to stand for an hour, it rehydrates
into separate grains.
Nutrients stay within the grain and surface starch is reduced,
producing a cooked rice that is somewhat more firm in texture and very
separate when cooked. It cooks perfectly in approximately 20 minutes.
Regular-milled White Rice
This rice has been completely milled and polished, removing the bran
layer. Vitamins and minerals are added for enrichment. It takes about 15
minutes to cook.
Key Benefits of Rice
