Asia rice general facts and information

1 Definitions:

Rice means milled rice which includes
cargo rice,
white rice,
glutinous rice,
boiled rice.

CARGO RICE:
(Brown rice, husked rice) means rice obtained from paddy of which only the husk has been removed.

WHITE RICE:
means rice obtained from paddy which has been husked and milled white by removing its bran layers.

PARBOILED RICE:
may be husked or milled rice processed from paddy or husked rice that has been soaked in water and subjected to heat treatment so that the starch has been fully gelatinized, followed by a drying process.

MOISTURE:
Means condensed vapour in the rice which is measurable.

DAMAGED KERNEL:
The kernel which is 25% or more distinctly discoloured or damaged by
Heat,
water,
disease,
insects, etc.

YELLOW KERNEL:
The kernel of which 25% or more of surface area has turned yellow.

CHALKY KERNEL:
The kernel of which 50% or more of the surface area is white like color of chalk. The core whiteness of Basmati 385 variety shall NOT be considered as chalky grain while completely chalk like grains of this variety shall be considered Chalky Kernel.

Rice, a commodity

While 65% of the world's rice is consumed within the close vicinity of where it is grown, the production and the trading of the remaining 35% has a major impact on world economic and political policies. Much of the world's rice crops are dependent on natural rainfall and changes in the world weather patterns can affect the delicate balance between demand and supply which in turn affect the rice trade patterns and price level

RICE FACTS

LONG GRAIN RICE: Rice which is long and slender in shape, as much as four to five times longer as it is wide. When cooked, the grains tend to remain separate and are light and fluffy.

MEDIUM GRAIN RICE: Rice that is plump in shape, but not round. When cooked, these grains are more moist and tender than long grain.

SHORT GRAIN RICE: Rice that is almost round in shape. Short grain rice tends to cling together when cooked.

BROWN RICE: Rice from which only the hull has been removed. The light brown colour is caused by the presence of seven bran layers.

REGULAR MILLED WHITE RICE: Rice remaining after the husk, bran layers and germ have all been removed through the milling process. Once milled, the rice is sorted according to size.

PARBOILED RICE: Another method of processing rice is parboiling. Prior to shelling, rough rice is soaked in warm water under pressure, than steamed and dried before being milled. This process gelatinizes the starch in the grain and forces nutrients back into the endosperm or the heart of the rice grain, allowing the retention of natural vitamin and mineral content. The process also eliminates surface starch common to regular white milled rice and therefore makes the grains more separate after cooking.

PRE - COOKED OR INSTANT RICE: Rice that has been cooked and dehydrated after milling. This reduces the cooking time.

Within each type, the substitution of one variety of rice for another generally causes no problems, but long or medium grain rice should never be substituted for short grain in a recipe.

THE TASTIC FAMILY OF RICE

Tastic Rice has extended their product range to create a family of quality rice complement every meal.

Tastic's consistent quality is ensured by using only golden marvel giant rice. This superior rice is enriched with essential vitamins which will not wash or cook away, giving your family vital nutrition to provide the energy and strength they need.

The rices of the World range brings imported rices from around the world to add authenticity to every internationally inspired meal. These include Tasmati Aromatic Basmati Rice, Jasmine Fragrant Thai Rice, Bonnet American White Rice, Tisotto Italian Arborio Rice, Tsushi Rice and Tepee Exotic Wild Rice.

Old Mill Stream Brown Rice is an organic source of rice bran that provides valuable fibre to the body, making this range perfect for healthy eating.

Savoury Classics is a premium product utilizing Tastic 10 minute quick cook rice plus high quality flavours and other ingredients. The flavours include Brown & Wild and Beef Oriental, and both variants are Kosher Parev and Halaal.

Flavoured Rices use Tastic Rice with premium ingredients, including dehydrated vegetables and seasonings, provding tasty and nutritious rices that cannot easily be replicated in the home. Flavours include Creamy Mushroom, Chicken a la Crème, Sicy Spanish, Wild Spinach & Onion, Beef & Vegetables, Peri-Peri Chicken, Summer salad and Savoury & Wild. All flavour variants are Kosher Parev and Halaal.

Perhaps the most important aspect of rice is its versatility. It is neutral enough to be the ideal accompaniment to other foods. The liquid - absorbing point to a wide range of dishes, both savoury and sweet.

The Tastic Family of Rices range provides the variety needed to use rice as the magic ingredient to create meals to suit any occasion. So why not try one of our exciting recipes and see for yourself how Tastic Rice cooks perfectly every time.

Tastic rice rice is a special long grain golden marvel grain rice, parboiled and vitamin enriched.

Tastic undergoes a unique, patented process of parboiling, using state of the art technology that transfers the vitamins and minerals found naturally in the outer bran layer to the actual rice kernel before milling takes place. Enriched Tastic Rice has more than double the vitamins compared to enriched rice and contains thiamine - vitamin B1, niacin - vitamin B2 and iron, ensuring good nutrition to promote healthy, energy and strength. Tastic's special rinse - resistant enrichment means the vitamins will not wash away should the rice be cooked with excess water, or rinsed after cooking. Rinsing is not necessary before cooking, as Tastic is milled and packed under strict hygienic conditions.

Tastic Rice always cooks perfectly every time, is separate, fluffy and white, and can be successfully used in all types of cooking, from savoury to sweet.

OLD MILL STREAM BROWN RICE

Old Mills Stream Brown Rice is a long grain, parboiled unpolished brown rice. Only the first layer of inedible paddy husk is removed, and seven layers of nourishing vitamin - and mineral rich organic rice bran remain. Bran is rich in fibre, iron, calcium, phosphorous, protein and vegetable oils.

Recent research indicates that the oil in rice bran may be effective in lowering blood cholesterol. Bran provides valuable fibre to the body, and fibre in the diet. This helps to keep the digestive system regular.

Due to the bran layer, old Mill Stream its delicious nutty flavour and chewy texture.

Old Mill Stream Brown Rice and can be included in a variety of salads, vegetarian dishes, fish, meat and poultry meals and will provide wholesome goodness.

BONNET AMERICAN WHITE RICE

Bonnet American white Rice is a carefully selected top - quality long grain white rice originating from America. Bonnet is milled to remove the husk, germ and bran. This process of milling leaves the grains clean, long and thin with an opaque appearance.

Bonnet Rice is the most widely used long grain white rice. Mild in flavour with a soft texture when cooked, it absorbs double its volume of liquid, making it an economical all - purpose rice. Due to its mild flavour, Bonnet is good with distinctive seasonings and flavourings. It is popular in America for Cajun and Californian cooking. In South Africa, it is well suited to casseroles and traditional and ethnic cooking. The wonderful soft texture of Bonnet also makes it the perfect rice for mouth watering desserts.

TASMTI AROMATIC BASMATI RICE

Tasmati Aromatic Basmati Rice is a top quality, long grain, highly aromatic white rice. The name Basmati means 'fragrant' in Hindi Around the world, Basmati Rice is often known to be 'The Prince of Rices'. Tasmati comes from the foothills of the Himalayas, an area whose unique soil provides the ideal growing environment. Watered by melting snow, it has an exquisite delicate texture, flavour and aroma. Tasmati Rice grains are slimmer than ordinary long grain rice and the colour is a definite white.

It makes an ideal accompaniment for a wide range of curries and spicy dishes, and can be used to make other savoury and sweet dishes. Tasmati can be used in any recipe calling for long grain rice.

When cooking Tasmati Rice, follow cooking instructions carefully as Tasmati needs to be soaked, boiled for the correct amount of time and steamed or simmered to ensure grains remain fluffy and white.

JASMINE FRAGRANT THAI RICE

Jasmine Frangrant Thai Rice is a high - quality long grain white rice that has a delicate fragrance and a slight stickiness when cooked. Jasmine Rice is a special white rice grown in Thailand that releases a distinctive fragrance during cooking. This fragrance is the result of a unique combination of soil, water and rice hybrids.

This delicate grain cooks up softer and sticker than other white rices. This quality makes it ideal when chopsticks are used, because it's easier to pick up. Traditionally, many Oriental cooks prefer to leave the rice unsalted. The grains have a delicious, fragrant, almost milky aroma that complements the exotic flavours of Oriental and Asian cuisine.

Jasmine Rice is also well suited to all types of Western and European dishes, and is often used to make desserts.

TISOTTO ITALIAN ARBORIO RICE

Tisotto Italian Arborio Rice is a high - quality medium grain rice with a high level of starch, a white pearl grain with visible chalky lines or dots in parts.

Originating in the Po Valley in Northern Italy, Arborio is the finest of the superfine risotto rices. This short, plump grain is ideal for risottos as it cooks to a gentle creaminess, yet retains an al dente centre. The higher the quality, the more liquid it absorbs, which can be up to four times its original volume.

Unlike long grain rices, which are normally left to cook undisturbed, Tisotto Arborio Rice is best stired frequently to create the delicious creaminess. Cooking time should be between 35-40 minutes.

As Tisotto is a sticky rice, it is always used in dishes that require the absorption of liquid, and is never served as plain rice. Other uses include rice shells, as a rice filler and desserts.

TSUSHI SUSHI RICE

Tsushi Rice is a short grain rice, also known as sweet, sticky or waxy rice.

The rice grains are broad, short, white and stick together during cooking. When cooked, Tsushi Rice is sweeter and stronger in flavour than other rice varieties. Tsushi Rice is the ideal rice for making sushi and other Japanese dishes.

Once the rice is cooked, place in a shallow bowl and run a spatula through the in a slicing motion to separate the grains while adding a blended mixture of rice vinegar, sugar and salt. Fan the rice to ensure fast cooling. This the correct method of preparing rice for sushi. Cooked sushi rice sticks together, making it perfect for shaping and rooling. Once rolled, it is easy to pick up, using chopsticks, and to dip into sauces.

TEPEE EXOTIC WILD RICE

Tepee Exotic Wild Rice is not, strictly speaking, rice at all, but the seed of an aquatic grass native to Minnesota Lakes of the United States. A slightly different species of wild rice is also found in Asia. Traditionally, wild rice was harvested by the American Indians, and although it still grows wild, it is now also cultivated.

The kernel, which is surrounded by a tough husk, is long and dark brown to purplish - black. When cooked, the husk bursts open to display its pale interior.

When cooked, Tepee Exotic Wild Rice is chewy, with a distinctive earthy and nutty flavour. Be careful not to overcook the rice, as it will loose its fragrance and characteristic robust texture and may coagulate due to the starch released during cooking.

Tepee Exotic Wild Rice can be mixed with other Tastic Rice products to given an exotic touch to a meal. Serve as an accompaniment to meats, poultry, game, fish or shellfish. Wild rice is often mixed with nuts, bacon, fruit and mushrooms, and can also be mixed into salads, soups, stuffing and stir-fry vegetables.