What are the high-quality rice varieties in China? A detailed introduction to their main characteristics
Rice is the finished product made from paddy after milling and other processes, and it is also the source of grain we now rely on for daily life. It contains the basic nutrients the human body needs, mainly protein and starch. People who regularly eat rice have strong bodies, and it is often used to make congee, which tastes sweet and fragrant. The rice on the market today is divided into japonica rice and glutinous rice. Next, let us take a look at what high-quality rice varieties there are in China!
1. Japanese rice
Japanese rice belongs to the short-grain type, with round, short grains, among which pearl rice, which is soft and sticky, is the most famous. Japanese rice has a good mouthfeel; it is not too sticky, nor does it become mushy and soft, and after cooking the grains remain distinct. It is an excellent ingredient for cooking rice. Many high-quality rice varieties in northeast China come from famous Japanese rice-producing areas, so northeast rice and Japanese rice are rather similar.
2. Thai fragrant rice
True Thai fragrant rice refers to jasmine rice. The characteristics of jasmine rice are slender grains, a crystal-clear appearance, smooth grains, a slightly curved grain body, and a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Thai fragrant rice has two purity levels, 80% and 92%. According to regulations of the Thai government, only rice with a purity above 92% may be labeled with the words "jasmine rice". Thai fragrant rice registered and repackaged in China is also packaged using the original rice bags.
3. Glutinous rice
Also called jiangmi, in appearance glutinous rice is opaque white. The main difference between glutinous rice and other rice is that it contains more starch, and therefore it becomes sticky after cooking. Glutinous rice is divided into japonica glutinous rice and indica glutinous rice. Japonica glutinous rice is round and short in appearance, while indica glutinous rice is slender in appearance; both are white in color, and after cooking the rice is relatively soft and sticky. Generally, japonica glutinous rice is used for brewing wine and making rice cakes, while indica glutinous rice is used for making eight-treasure congee and zongzi. Glutinous rice is rich in B vitamins, can warm the spleen and stomach and replenish qi, and also has an astringent effect, with a relatively good dietary therapeutic effect on frequent urination and excessive sweating. However, it should not be eaten in excess.
4. Chinese black rice
Chinese black rice is a type of rice used both as food and medicine, and its grain quality is very good. Representative examples include Shaanxi black rice, Guizhou black glutinous rice, and Hunan black rice. Black rice includes both indica rice and japonica rice, and the grain texture is divided into two types, waxy and non-waxy. The brown rice is black or dark brown, and its main nutrients include crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrates, and so on. Its content of vitamins, trace elements, and amino acids is higher than that of ordinary rice. Black rice has effects such as strengthening the spleen and warming the liver, improving eyesight, and invigorating blood circulation. Because its nutrients are mostly concentrated in the black cortex, it is not suitable for fine processing, and it is best to eat it as brown rice or standard grade-three rice.
5. Indian fragrant rice
Indian fragrant rice is produced in northern India and is famous for its slender shape and rich aroma. Indian fragrant rice belongs to a type of indica rice, and it is slender with high transparency. After cooking, Indian fragrant rice is 2 to 3 times the length of the raw rice, and the rice is relatively dry and loose, with low stickiness. Therefore, Indian fragrant rice is suitable for making fried rice or rice salad. When people in northern India eat local fragrant rice, they not only cook the rice until it is dry and firm, but also add a large amount of spices, such as cinnamon and mint, and cook them together.
In summary, the introduction to high-quality rice varieties in China ends here. Rice can provide people with very comprehensive nutrients, and demand is very high, so growers can plant it in large quantities.
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