-->

• Rice is one of the world's most important crops and accounts for 1/5th of the world's caloric consumption. Rice is a grain from the family of grasses, grown worldwide, usually in flooded fields.

  The flooding of rice fields helps to kill Weeds, but can damage the rice if it remains submerged for long periods of time. Scientists at the University of California-Davis have developed a strain of rice that resists flood damage, which could potentially save the estimated 4 million tons of rice that are lost each year due to flooding.CNN: Fighting hunger with flood-tolerant rice (January 29, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. 9000-6400 BC: domesticated in China
  2. Native to both Asia and Africa
  3. World's largest food crop
  4. Rice is a dietary staple for over 50% of the world's populationCNN: Fighting hunger with flood-tolerant rice (January 29, 2009)
  5. 600 million tons produced yearly
  6. Main ingredient in rice pudding, paella and many Asian dishes
  7. The diet of over 60% of farmers in India and Bangladesh consists solely of riceCNN: Fighting hunger with flood-tolerant rice (January 29, 2009)
  8. An estimated 4 million tons of rice are lost each year because of floodingCNN: Fighting hunger with flood-tolerant rice (January 29, 2009)
  9. Rice prices rose by over 50% between January and May of 2008BBC: Cyclone fuels rice price increase (May 7, 2008)
  10. Thailand is the world's largest exporter of riceBBC: Cyclone fuels rice price increase (May 7, 2008)

• Types

  Rice before it is polished is called brown rice. This type of rice can be consumed and is more nutritious than polished white rice, although it takes about twice as long to cook. White rice comes in many forms. Some of the more popular types are long grain, medium grain, Arborio, Basmati, and Jasmine rice. Converted rice is white rice to which additional nutrients have been added.Cook's Thesaurus: Rice

• Cooking

  Raw rice is hard and must be cooked in order to eat. Rice is usually simmered until it is cooked. This can be done in a rice cooker, on the stove top, or in the oven.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  How to Make Paella | How to Cook Rice | How to Cook Rice Videos | How to Make Rice Pudding | Rice Shortage 2008 | Uncle Ben's Rice | Rice Cookers | Pasta | Sushi | Chinese Food | Japanese Food | Thai Food | Frying | Risotto | Korean Food | How to Make Perfect Sushi Rice | How to Make Perfect Sushi Rice Videos | Seitan | Beef Stroganoff | Chimichanga | Stuffed Cabbage | Fried Rice | Free Rice | Noise Makers

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page