September is National Rice Month, and Tidbits is giving you the opportunity to learn more about this food staple.
• Although the U.S. produces 20 billion lbs. of rice annually, America has the lowest consumption of rice in the world. The average American might consume 10 cups of rice a year, compared to the average Asian who eats upwards of 5 cups a day! People in Burma, in southeast Asia, consume about 500 lbs. (225 kg) per person annually, while in the U.S., that figure is 25 lbs. (11 kg). China and India are the world’s largest producers. Asia consumes upwards of 90% of the world’s rice.
• There are more than 5,500 rice farmers in the U.S., mostly in the top-producing states of Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas.
• There are more than 40,000 varieties of rice. Just one single seed can produce up to 3,000 grains of rice. The crop requires a lot of water to grow – it takes about 1,320 gallons (5,000 liters) of water to produce just 2.2 lbs. (l kg) of rice. A typical plant can reach up to 5.9 feet (1.8 m) in height, with long slender leaves 20 to 39 inches (50 to 100 cm) in length.
• What’s the difference between brown rice and white rice? It all comes down to refinement. White rice used to be brown rice. It’s just that the hull, bran layer, and cereal germ has been removed, and the grain polished. Brown rice is whole grain, with just the inedible outer hull removed. Brown rice is much healthier because of its whole grain properties and greater amount of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Brown rice has 40% more protein and twice as much fiber as white rice. White rice has been stripped of nutrients, and doesn’t have a lot of nutritional benefit.
• Rice is classified as long-, medium-, and short-grained. Long-grained remains intact after cooking, while medium-grained becomes more sticky, making it a good choice for sushi. Short-grain rice is a good choice for rice pudding.
• What about wild rice? Well, it isn’t rice at all, but rather a grass harvested from any of four different species of marsh grasses grown in North America and China. It’s sometimes referred to as water oats.
• Rice has a place in folklore and spirituality. Young Chinese girls are advised to eat every last grain on their plates; otherwise, every grain will translate to a scar, pimple, or blemish on the face of their future husband. In India, rice is associated with the god Lakshmi, the god of prosperity and wealth, while in Japan, it’s the sun god Amatereshu-Omi-Kami. Men aren’t allowed to enter the rice paddies in Thailand, where Mae Posop is considered the “mother of rice” god. And why has rice traditionally been thrown at the bride and groom at a wedding? It’s because rice is a symbol of life and fertility.
• Rice is for more than eating! In the 15th and 16th centuries, during the construction of the Great Wall of China, workers used a mixture of rice and calcium carbonate as mortar to hold the stones together for its 13,000-mile (20,921-km) length. The rice mortar was more water-resistant than lime mortar, and so much stronger that the Wall and other structures, including tombs and city walls, could withstand powerful earthquakes.
