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Imagine, a food product so important that
instead of saying "Good morning" or "Hello"
the Chinese ask "Have you had rice today?"
In
countries such as China, India and Japan,
where there are approximately 5 people per
arable acre, as opposed to the United states
where it is 1/2 of a person per acre, high
yield crops are essential. Rice is not
only a high yield crop, but is nutritious,
versatile and delicious.
Rice is used for a variety of non-food
products. The inedible rice hull is used as
fuel, fertilizer, and insulation, while the
straw from the leaves and stems is used as
bedding for animals and for weaving roofs,
hats, baskets, and sandals.
In
several Asian languages the words for rice
and food are identical.
In
classical Chinese the words for agriculture
and for rice are synonymous, indicating that
rice was already the staple crop at the time
the language was taking form.
Most believe the roots of rice come from
3000 BC India, where natives discovered the
plant growing in the wild and began to
experiment with it. Cultivation and cooking
methods are thought to have spread to the
west rapidly and by medieval times, southern
Europe saw the introduction of rice as a
hearty grain.
India, with China, produces more than 50% of
the world's rice.
India is the largest producer & exporter of
Basmati rice in the world.
Sowing Period June
– August.
Each country has a
rice that they are known for:
India - Basmati and
Jasmine - fragrant and full of flavor.
Tastes like popcorn!
China - white, long
grain - versatile and nutritious - with a
mild flavor.
Japan - sticky rice
- used in everything from dinner to dessert.
Sweet in flavor.
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