And over time it became the staple food for this region of the planet. Rice is considered a gift of gods to people, it is a symbol of fertility and prosperous life. This opinion is an important part of the culture of many countries. Historians believe that rice got to the European part of the world due to the fact that Alexander the Great conquered India. Until now, the tradition of sprinkling newlyweds at the wedding with rice grains has come and continues. Thus, young people want happiness and prosperity.
Rice in the form of agricultural crops came to Russia in the fifteenth century through Ukraine and Hungary. However, rice was not called rice until the nineteenth century, before that there was Sorochin millet, and before that, Saracen grain or Saracen wheat.
Rice is a grain crop and, like other cereals, consists mainly of carbohydrates. It is not only delicious, but also very nutritious. Rice contains fiber, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Dishes from it are easily assimilated.
In countries such as China and Japan, rice is the basis of the diet of most residents. In Asian countries, rice is cooked with delicious pilaf, and each people has its own recipes and secrets of cooking this delicious dish. Italian cuisine is known all over the world for its creamy risotto. The whole world with great pleasure eats rice as a different side dish. It is cooked with the addition of various aromatic spices and served to the table. In China, a traditional drink is rice made from rice - sake. And also from rice cooked airy sweets for the tea ceremony. The airy rice reminds of popcorn, it is loved by both adults and children.
Before you start to prepare the desired dish from rice, you need to choose the right grade of this cereal. The most popular long-grain rice. It is a long white polished grain. This type of rice is used for cooking plov, garnishes and desserts. The best varieties are jasmine and basmati. The basmati variety grows in the north of India near the foot of the Himalayan mountains and in some areas of Pakistan. Jasmine is grown in Thailand, it is also called "Thai fragrant rice".
Round grain rice is also called dairy. Due to the fact that this particular variety is mainly used for cooking porridge and risotto. During cooking rice grains secrete starch giving the risotto the necessary density. Due to the stickiness due to the contained starch, this rice variety is also used in the preparation of sushi and rolls.
Supporters of healthy lifestyles quickly became addicted to brown rice. This color of rice is given by a bran shell rich in various nutrients. But such a rice is prepared longer than usual, but less. This is his fault.
Red rice with round grain is traditionally grown by Thailand, recently it was cultivated in the south of France. Now this variety is quite popular because of its flavor similar to that of walnut from it cooked side dishes and salads. And many years ago this variety was considered a weed and was not used in food.
This concludes our excursion into the world of rice. Choose a dish and a grade of rice for it. Now you can do it right, and ... prepare a delicious rice.