Black rice

Black rice (also known as purple rice or forbidden rice) is a range of rice types, some of which are glutinous rice. Varieties include but are not limited to Indonesian black rice and Thai jasmine black rice. Black rice is high in nutritional value and contains 18 amino acids, iron, zinc, copper, carotene, and several important vitamins[citation needed]. The grain has a similar amount of fiber to brown rice[1][unreliable source?] and like brown rice, has a mild, nutty taste. In China, black rice is claimed to be good for the kidney, stomach and liver[citation needed]; these claims have not been independently verified.

Black rice is a deep black color and usually turns deep purple when cooked. Its dark purple color is primarily due to its anthocyanin content, which is higher by weight than that of other colored grains but more limited in the number of different anthocyanin species present.[2][3] It is suitable for making porridge and it can also be used for making dessert, traditional Chinese black rice cake or bread.

In China, noodles made from black rice have been produced.

Thai black jasmine rice, while not as prevalent as the white and brown varieties, adds more vibrant color to meals, as well as providing additional health benefits.[4]

Economic importance

The black and white aromatic rices (Chakhao amubi and Chakhao poireiton and Chakhao angouba) of Manipur have their importance as a glutinous or sticky rice and are used for the community feast as well as ceremonial purposes as delicacy. Chak means rice and ahaoba means delicious, therefore, Chakhao means delicious rice. It is sold in the local markets at about Rs. 125 per kg of rice[when?]. The black aromatic rice of Manipur is served in standard hotels as a top rated variety of rice[citation needed]. Rice flake prepared from black rice is becoming popular[when?]. As the black glutinous aromatic rices of Manipur are poor yielders (about 2,500 kg/ha as paddy), these rices cover only less than 10% of the rain-fed wetland area under local cultivars, although there is a premium in the price of these rices[citation needed].
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History

It is believed[by whom?] that Chakhao of Manipur came with the people of Manipur, particularly Meiteis when they first settled on this land.[5] The words Amubi and Angouba stand for black and white, respectively, in Manipuri. Hence, Chakhao amubi and Chakhao angouba were named after the black and white color glutinous aromatic rice endosperm of these cultivars.

In ancient China, black rice was considered the finest grain and only served to the Emperor. Therefore, it sometimes is called “forbidden rice,” as it was off limits for the general public[citation needed].

Improvement

No systematic work on the improvement of black glutinous aromatic rice of Manipur has so far been taken up. However, germplasm collection, characterization and evaluation of these aromatic rice cultivars of have been made. The black glutinous aromatic rice of Manipur have been characterized for 34 morphological characters. These aromatic rice cultivars have been evaluated for eleven morpho-agronomic characters along with reaction to major diseases and pests of local importance.[citation needed]

As the domestic demand for the black glutinous aromatic rice of Manipur increases, efforts are to be made for developing high yielding varieties without losing the grain quality characters, cooking quality and aroma. The black glutinous aromatic rice of Manipur are in demand in the domestic market as well as are having possibilities for export.


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rice vermicelli

Rice vermicelli are thin noodles made from rice and are a form of rice noodles.[1] They are sometimes referred to as rice noodles or rice sticks, but they should not be confused with cellophane noodles, which is another type of vermicelli.

Etymology and preparation

Rice vermicelli are a part of several Asian cuisines, where they are often eaten as part of a soup dish, stir fry, or salad. One particularly well known, slightly thicker variety, is called Guilin mǐfěn (桂林米粉), comes from the southern Chinese city of Guilin, where it is a breakfast staple.


Notable dishes

China

Cantonese noodles: A large number of Cantonese dishes use this ingredient (called 米粉 maifun in Cantonese). Usually the noodles are simmered in broth with other ingredients such as fish balls, beef balls, and/or fish slices.
In Fujian and Teochew cuisine, rice vermicelli is a commonly used noodle and is served either in soup, stir-fried and dressed with a sauce, or even 'dry' (without soup) with added ingredients and condiments.

Hong Kong

Singapore style noodles (星州炒米, Xīng zhōu cháo mǐ) is a dish of fried rice vermicelli common in Hong Kong Cantonese-style eateries, inspired by the spicy cuisines of Southeast Asia.

India and Pakistan

Sawaeyaa is a famous dish made from vermicelli cooked in milk sugar and dry nuts. It is eaten on Diwali, Eid, and other happy occasions in parts of India and Bangladesh.
Paayasam is a famous South Indian sweet dish made from vermicelli, sago, sugar, spices and nuts and milk.
Santhakai is a staple South Indian breakfast dish.

Myanmar

Mohinga, in Myanmar, is rice vermicelli served with curry gravy and fish.
Mont Di is rice vermicelli served with clear fish soup or as salad with fish flakes.

Philippines

Pancit

Singapore and Malaysia

Kerabu bee hoon is a Nyonya-style rice vermicelli dish, mixed with herbs and other seasonings.
Hokkien mee, commonly in Singapore, consists of rice vermicelli mixed with yellow noodles and fried with shrimp, sliced cuttlefish and pork bits. Hokkien mee throughout Malaysia varies considerably due to regional differences.
Satay bee hoon is rice vermicelli served with spicy peanut satay sauce, common in Singapore.

Taiwan

Taiwanese fried rice vermicelli is the dry, stir-fried local style (particularly known in the Hsinchu region). Its main ingredients include sliced pork, dried shrimp, and carrots.
A Hsinchu specialty is to serve rice vermicelli 'dry' 乾 (gan, not in a soup) with mushroom and ground pork.

Vietnam

Bánh hỏi
Bún riêu is rice vermicelli in soup with crab meat.
Bún thịt nướng is a Vietnamese dish consisting of grilled pork (often shredded) and vermicelli noodles over a bed of greens (salad and sliced cucumber), herbs and bean sprouts. Also, it often includes a few chopped egg rolls, spring onions, and shrimp. It is commonly served with roasted peanuts on top and a small bowl of nước chấm.
Summer roll is rice vermicelli with shrimp and herbs in a rice paper roll.
Bún bò Huế


Info : Wikipedia

Red rice

Weedy rice, also known as red rice, is a species of rice (Oryza) that produces far fewer grains per plant than cultivated rice and is therefore considered a pest. The name "weedy rice" is used for all types and variations of rice which show some characteristic features of cultivated rice and grow as weeds in commercial rice fields. Populations of weedy rice are found in many rice-growing regions.[1][2] Weedy rice is various species and subspecies of rice which can distribute their seeds before harvest. Variations of weedy rice adapt to a wide range of natural conditions.[3][4][5]

Weedy rice grains often have a red pericarp, so for this reason in the international literature the term "red rice" is often used. This term, however, is not very relevant, because the rice with a red pericarp are also found in some cultivated varieties, but not in many forms of weedy rice.[6]

In most regions of the rice production, weedy rice is introduced after the transition from transplanting rice to sowing commercial seeds directly in the rice field. It has become very significant since the mid-1980s, especially in Europe, with the weak semi-dwarf varieties of indica subspecies.[7] Distribution generally promotes use of commercially purchased seeds containing weed seeds. Weedy rice can be found in 40-75% of rice fields in Europe,[8] 40% of fields in Brazil,[9] 55% in Senegal,[10] 80% in Cuba,[11] and 60% in Costa Rica.[12]

Because weedy rice and cultivated rice are so closely related, herbicides that would kill red rice would also kill cultivated rice. A genetically modified form of cultivated rice has been developed that will resist a herbicide, but this form of rice has not been approved for human consumption. This genetically modified form of cultivated rice has, however, appeared on the rice market



Info : http://en.wikipedia.org

Pandan Leaf

Pandan is a herbaceous tropical plant with long green leaves. In Southeast Asia, pandan leaves are used to lend a unique taste and aroma to many Thai desserts and some drinks. Pandan leaves can also be used to wrap savory foods, such as chicken (see recipe links below). Pandan paste is used in cakes and desserts, as it is sweet and imbues foods with a bright green color. It can be purchased as a ready-to-use paste in Asian specialty stores. If purchased fresh, pandan leaves should be pounded into a paste for use in desserts, adding water sparingly.



Info : http://thaifood.about.com