A staple food in many countries around the globe, rice is ideal for any meal of the day and can be served in a wide variety of ways. In each of its varieties, it boasts a plethora of beneficial characteristics, however, there are many that still doubt rice is a quality ingredient that is worth adding to dishes.
I fully support a questioning mindset as it is necessary for analyzing and selecting the best quality products you can find in order to offer incredible taste for unforgettable meals. After all, cooking is an act of curiosity and self-expression, so researching and seeking out value is not only natural, but I highly encourage it. That’s why I’d like to offer a bit of information to shine a light on a few inaccuracies regarding one of my favorite ingredients — rice, and in particular white rice. Come with me as I separate fact from myth about the world’s most popular grain.
5 Myths and Facts Surrounding Rice
It’s time to get the facts straight regarding rice.
#1 Myth: Eating White Rice is Like Eating Sugar
FACT: It’s important to understand the difference in sugars. Unlike simple sugars, also known as simple carbohydrates which are found in fruits, white rice is composed of complex carbohydrates which help the body to maintain consistent energy levels. White rice also contains fiber, protein, and other beneficial nutrients which are necessary in a balanced diet for both kids and adults.
#2 Myth: White Rice Has Zero Nutritional Value
FACT: On the contrary! White rice contains essential nutrients like.
- Potassium
- Iron
- Fiber
- Protein
When I started doing my own research, I found that not all rice and grain brands provide the same value. When finding a go-to brand that will actually provide these elements, I look for where the products are grown, how they are harvested and packaged, and if they are Non-GMO Project Verified. When choosing your products, it’s important to support those brands you believe in that offer trustworthy quality.
#3 Myth: Rice is High in Calories
FACT: Taking for example a quality option like RiceSelect® Texmati® White Rice, a 1/4-cup serving of cooked contains only 160 calories. We all need calories to survive, so I choose to enjoy each and every one of them with quality food options that keep me feeling full and satisfied like white or even whole grain brown rice.
#4 Myth: RiceSelect® Varieties Are Not Authentic
FACT: RiceSelect has cultivated Texmati® Rice alongside Jasmati® Rice which are proprietary grains that combine the best attributes of premium long-grain rice and Basmati or Jasmine Rice respectively.
Texmati is an especially flavorful, aromatic rice requested by name in countless recipes, cookbooks and not to mention chefs like Ina Garten keep it on hand as a pantry staple. Jasmati is ideal for culinary exploration, particularly with Asian-focused techniques and flavors on account of its long and slender grains.
All of RiceSelect’s exceptional varieties of rice, including Texmati and Jasmati, are Non-GMO Project Verified.
#5 Myth: Rice Is Boring
FACT: Quite the opposite of boring, rice offers a vessel for creativity and expression for the creative home cook. Multiple RiceSelect varieties allow for improvising with different tastes and textures:
Some of my favorite dishes start with rice like Texmati White or Texmati Brown to whip up a Breakfast Huevos Rancheros Rice Bowl or a Persian-inspired Jeweled Rice with Dried Fruit and Nuts.
I use fragrant Jasmati® or intensely fragrant Kamalis™ to create an indulgent dessert like this Coconut Lime Rice Pudding.
Use traditional Rice Arborio to create a comforting Classic Italian Risotto or Royal Blend® to make an elegant celebratory dinner like Red Wine Braised Duck with Royal Blend® Rice. You can also make sushi rice, black rice, sticky sweet rice and more.
Which Rice Do I Recommend?
To ensure all of this, there is only one brand I rely on, RiceSelect® offers a trustworthy and high-quality line of products with the ultimate vision to feed inspiration and emotion that goes into crafting unforgettable meals.
From their wide variety of rice products, “inspect each grain” quality, to their unique, innovative packaging, RiceSelect® products are truly one of a kind. If you don’t take my word for it, their award-winning products are recognized worldwide for their outstanding taste and texture.
Raise your culinary experience by using the only rice that was designed to be delicious. To discover the best rice and recipes for any occasion, like Israeli couscous recipes, a Rice and Shrimp recipe or an Orzo recipe.