RICE

Geek talk: Oryza sativa But we talk: Arroz, Paddy, Nel & Chawal Description: Rice (Paddy), a cereal grain, is the most widely consumed staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in Asia and the West Indies. It is the grain with the second-highest worldwide production, after maize.[1] It provides more than one fifth of the calories consumed worldwide by the human species.[2]  The nutrition value of rice varies based on varieties such as white, brown, black, red and purple rice and also how the rice is polished or processed, the manner it is enriched, and how it is prepared before consumption.[3]  After harvesting and drying, the paddy is subjected to the primary milling operation which includes de-husking as well as the removal of bran layers (polishing) before it is consumed. Husk, Bran and Broken Rice are the by-products of the rice milling process. In this process the rice which is obtained after milling is called raw rice.   By weight, the composition of paddy rice is approximately: 22% husk (including about 2% trash), 10% bran, and 68% rice (2% of the rice is very small pieces, brewers’ rice, and fines).  Rice husk constitutes the largest by-product of rice milling has a considerable fuel value for a variety of possible industrial uses mostly as boiler fuel. Rice bran is the most valuable by-product of the rice milling industry. It is obtained from the outer layers of the brown rice during milling. Rice Bran is a very nutritional product containing mixture of substances, including protein, fat, ash, and crude fiber. It contains about 16% to 18% of oil and loaded with vitamin E components. It is exceptionally high in vitamin B, minerals, and essential fatty acids.  After the husk is removed the remaining product is called brown rice. Brown rice is more nutritious than white rice. The protein in brown rice has one of the most complete essential amino acid profiles of any vegetable crop. The rice bran layer of brown rice also contains digestible fiber as well as minerals and vitamins not found in milled rice.  Top producers are China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh & Vietnam. Nutrition:  1 Cup of Medium Grain White Rice (Cooked) 1 Cup of Medium Grain Brown Rice (Cooked)

Origin: India or China

  References:

1.  "ProdSTAT". FAOSTAT. Retrieved December 26, 2006. 
2.  mith, Bruce D. (1998) The Emergence of Agriculture. Scientific American Library, A Division of HPHLP, New York, ISBN 0-7167-6030-4. 
3. “Juliano, Bienvenido O. (1993). "Rice in human nutrition". Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations