White Rice and Brown Rice and Basmati Rice and Jasmine Rice
History of rice dates back to 5000 BC and it is one of the oldest grains that we eat today. You can find the mention of annual rice ceremonies, in history, which are still held in China. It is also a plant which is native to India and Thailand. Today rice is eaten worldwide but it was taken from Asia to western countries by the traders, explorers and the soldiers.
Rice is eaten as a delicacy in the places where it is not grown while it is staple food in the places where it is grown. Rice grows in many climates but it needs lot of water while growing and sunny periods for the plant to mature. Rice is a highly regarded form of food especially in Asian countries.
There are thousands of varieties of grains and can be broadly categorized into long grain, medium grain and short grain. Maximum varieties are white in color but brown rice is also popular. Here, we will know about the differences between basmati Rice, Jasmine Rice, White rice and Brown rice.
Basmati rice is grown in India and Pakistan in the Himalayan foothills. This is characterized by its aroma and long grain. The word basmati in Sanskrit means something that has fragrance. This is one of the best varieties in white and brown rice and its free flowing texture makes it perfect to be served with curries especially at special occasions.
Jasmine rice is native to Thailand and is a long grain variety of rice. Though cheaper than basmati, it is equally good and loved for its nutty flavor and aroma. It is served with Thai and Chinese dishes. The Jasmine aroma of this rice disappears with time unlike basmati which retains its aroma even if stored over a period of time. This is also grown in paddy field logged with water.
When we talk about white and brown rice then you must know that although white rice is more popular and eaten more than brown rice, brown rice is considered healthier option. Brown rice is brown in color because it is milled in such a way that it retains some part of its germ and bran. This makes it chewy, nutritious and rich in fiber. Brown rice is healthier but not that tender and fluffy and this is why it is not as popular as white rice. White rice is not only easy and fast to cook but also has longer shelf life than brown rice.