4 Tips on Making Healthy Organic Rice
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Organic rice is rice that is grown in natural conditions and without the aid of chemical fertilizers or harmful pesticides. This means that from planning to planting and to harvesting, organic rice only uses cultural, biological, and mechanical practices. Organically grown rice supports and promotes ecological balance and the conservation of biodiversity.
In short, organic rice is a simple and sustainable way to do our part in helping our environment. Here are some tips to make sure that the organic rice you make is both healthy and delicious.
Cooking with Organic Rice
Conventional or regular rice is usually grown with the use of fertilizers and pesticides to increase plant growth and get more crop yield. Moreover, conventional rice typically has high levels of arsenic due to the chemicals used. On the other hand, organic rice prioritizes the use of natural means to grow crops and make yield. It also contains a lower level of arsenic and has fewer additives.
Organic rice also has more health benefits and vitamin content than conventional rice. Both organic white and brown rice are nutrient-dense, containing high amounts of minerals that can help you lose weight, manage symptoms of diabetes, reduce your risk of heart disease, and help with indigestion. Here are some ways to enjoy organic rice.
Buy the Best-Quality Organic Rice Brand
There are many rice brands in the market. Since organic rice grains don’t look that different from conventional rice, it can get easily confusing. One may also mix up organic rice with clean rice. It should be noted that clean rice is rice grown with the use of chemical fertilizers but with a permissible dose.
To identify organic rice, packages are branded with an organic label and certification. These labels are typically written as “100% Organic”, “Organic”, or “Made with Organic Ingredients.”
Along with those, you’ll also see certifications such as PGS Vietnam, USDA (USA), ACO (Australia), EU Organic (EU), JAS (Japan), and the like. The certifications mean that the organic rice passed the standards of the aforementioned certifying bodies.
Some of the top organic rice brands that you can buy are Orgagro Organic Rice, Ecorice Organic Rice, RiceSelect Organic Texmati White Rice, and Lundberg Family Farms.
Rinse Rice Grains
Similar to conventional rice, organic rice should also be rinsed before cooking. While organic rice is grown using sustainable means, that doesn’t mean that the grains are not abundant in starch or do not have dirt on them. Whether conventional or organic, rice grains need to be washed to ensure that they cook soft and fluffy.
Add Salt When Cooking
Rice can be very bland and flavorless but adding salt during the cooking process can enhance its taste. Not only that, but salt can also help prevent the grains from absorbing too much water, ensuring that it doesn’t turn out mushy when done. Simply add 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon for each cup of organic rice to improve the taste of the grains.
Use Only the Best Ingredients
Organic rice is very versatile as it can be eaten with a multitude of dishes or used as the main ingredient in many recipes. As you are using organic rice, which is healthy and nutritious, it’s also essential that you only use the best organic ingredients to go along with it. Cooking with only the best ingredients ensures that your organic rice dishes are premium in taste and in nutrition.
Final Note
Organic rice is no different from conventional rice in looks and the way it is cooked. Their differences lie in the methods of growth and cultivation, as well as their nutritional benefits. If you want your daily rice meals to be healthier, choose organic rice.
