Rice is a common food staple that many people eat every day. It can be used in many dishes, from simple sides to complex meals. If you want to shop for rice in bulk, it's important to know about the different types of rice, nutrition information, the benefits of buying rice in large amounts, how to store it, and how long it lasts. In this guide, we will cover all the important information you need to know about rice to help save you money.
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Long-term savings:
When you buy rice in smaller portions, companies have to spend more on packaging and advertising, which increases the cost of each package. However, if you buy rice in bulk, you can avoid these additional expenses and get a better price per pound. While the upfront cost of bulk rice may seem higher, the long-term savings become clear over time. By stocking up on more rice at once, you can stretch your food budget further and enjoy consistent savings on your grocery bills. Plus, we found that for most rice products, the whole-grain brown rice version was sold at the same price as regular!
*Prices from a major grocery retailer website, accessed 3/25/24
Reduced food and packaging waste:
Bulk items often come with minimal or no packaging compared to individually packaged products. By skipping the excess packaging, you reduce the amount of waste created from disposable containers, wrappers, and plastic bags.
Also, when you buy a big bag of rice, you can measure out just the right amount you need for your meals over a longer time. This means you're less likely to continuously re-purchase smaller bags for meals and be left with a small amount that you are likely to throw away each time.
Increased Awareness:
Buying items like rice in bulk helps you become more aware of how you use them and encourages you to be resourceful. This means that instead of wasting food or other products, you become more creative and find ways to use what you have on hand. For example, in a recipe for beef stroganoff where you might normally go buy noodles to complete the recipe, you push yourself to find and create a different version with similar ingredients but as a baked casserole with rice.
Rice comes in many different varieties, each with its own unique flavor, texture, and nutritional benefits.
Generally, whole-grain rice starts as either red, brown, or black and does not have parts of it removed during processing. However, white rice has certain parts removed in processing and contains less fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Brown rice is a type of whole-grain rice that provides many nutrients including fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Fiber, found primarily in the bran and germ, promotes digestive health, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and contributes to a feeling of fullness. Whole grains are also rich in B vitamins, such as niacin, thiamine, and folate, which are essential for energy metabolism and overall well-being. Additionally, they provide minerals like magnesium, selenium, and iron, which play important roles in the body, including bone health and a healthy immune system.
Most of the fiber, vitamins, and minerals are stripped away when processing white rice in the same way that it also happens when processing other grains like wheat. Processed grains, also known as refined grains, often have certain nutrients added back in, such as iron and B vitamins, to replace what was lost. However, fiber is the main nutrient not replaced which lowers the ability of white rice to promote digestive health, regulate blood sugar levels, and increase feelings of fullness in the same way as whole grains.
You can often find different varieties of rice made in both white and brown. Here are some common varieties of rice you might find a whole-grain (brown) version of in-store:
Basmati rice is a long-grain rice that is commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It has a distinctive smell and nutty flavor, and when cooked properly, the grains are light and fluffy. Due to its unique flavor and texture, basmati rice is often used in pilaf or curry dishes.
Jasmine rice is a great option for meal prepping because it is a long-grain rice that stays fluffy and separate when cooked. This means it won't clump together or get mushy when reheated, making it perfect for preparing and storing in the fridge. Jasmine rice also stays soft in the fridge longer than other types, ensuring that you have healthy and satisfying meals on hand throughout the week. It has a slight floral, sweet flavor making it a great choice to use in fried rice.
Arborio rice is a short-grain rice that is commonly used in Italian cuisine, especially for making risotto. Its high starch content gives risotto its well-known creamy texture. Arborio rice is also great for making rice pudding and other creamy rice dishes.
Wild rice is already considered a whole grain as it is, you don't have to try to seek out a brown rice version of it. Compared to other types of rice, wild rice has a nuttier flavor and a chewy texture. It's important to note that wild rice retains its shape and texture even after cooking, so don't expect it to become as soft and fluffy as other types of rice. This unique texture makes wild rice a great addition to salads, pilafs, soups, and stuffing recipes.
Instant rice products use a process where rice is cooked and dried, creating small cracks or holes in each grain. This helps the rice quickly absorb water without the need for additional boiling. Instant rice only takes about 5 minutes to cook.
Parboiled
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Parboiled rice is a type of rice that has been partially cooked to shorten cooking time. All instant rice is parboiled but not all parboiled rice is instant rice. It is not usually available in a whole-grain version but will save you time in the kitchen! Parboiled rice will take about 10-12 minutes to cook.
Cooking dry (uncooked) rice takes longer but is a fairly simple process that can be done on the stovetop or in a rice cooker. Here is a basic guide for cooking dry rice on the stovetop:
' 1 cup of rice
' 2 cups of water or broth
1. Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear.
2. In a large saucepan, add rice and water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15-20 minutes (white rice) or 35-45 minutes (brown rice).
4. Remove from heat and rest 5-10 minutes.
5. Fluff with a fork and serve.
Note: The water-to-rice ratio may vary depending on the type of rice and your personal preference, be sure to check the package instructions.
Storing rice properly can extend its shelf life and maintain its quality over time. Here are some tips for storing rice:
By following these tips, you can ensure that your bulk rice stays fresh and flavorful for longer.
There are so many creative ways to use rice in recipes that go beyond just a side dish. Check out these awesome types of rice-based dishes that you can try out in your kitchen today!
Jasmine rice refers to the aromatic variety of rice that has long grains. The aroma in these grains exists because the rice plant produces natural compounds that are aromatic and have fragrance. The aroma compound present that is the most important is 2-acetyl-1-purroline. The production of jasmine rice is observed mostly in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The rice when cooked is sticky in texture and has a slightly sweet taste. Jasmine rice is usually eaten steamed or boiled because it is not suitable for frying as it can become sticky and soggy. Steamed jasmine rice goes very well with curries and meat. Jasmine rice is quite popular in Thailand and one of the most consumed types of rice. Just like other rice, jasmine rice too is high in calories in a moderate way but has a lot of health benefits as well.
For diets where you need to gain weight or bulk yourself, jasmine rice can help you sail through. If you want to carb-load or are looking for ways for instant energy, then one serving of jasmine rice can help you do that. In a cup of cooked jasmine rice, there can be around 180 calories. The starch present in the rice will be broken down into fuel that will provide energy and power to your body. People who are trying to gain weight can consume jasmine rice because the number of calories might be able to bring results for a healthy weight gain.
Jasmine rice consists of folic acid, which is a synthetic form of folate (vitamin B9). Consumption of folic acid is important during the time of pregnancy as it can play a vital role in the development of the baby. Consumption of folic acid before the period of pregnancy can prevent birth defects such as neural tube defects that are defects in the brain or spine. Good amounts of folic acid in the body of the mother can help in the proper growth of the heart and blood vessels of the growing baby. In conclusion to all the points mentioned above, jasmine rice can be a good choice for the intake of folic acid during pregnancy.
Iron is an important component required to build our immunity and it also helps cells to produce energy and supplies oxygen to our tissues. Jasmine rice is rich in iron and can help in the production of red blood cells in our body. Lack of iron can lead to anaemia, a condition in which you can have symptoms like fatigue, headaches, fast heart rate and shortness of breath etc. Iron can also be helpful when it comes to having healthy hair, skin and nails. Jasmine rice can help women in getting high levels of iron because women tend to lose iron during menstruation.
Brown jasmine rice is high in insoluble fibre and thus, helps to maintain our digestive systems. Brown jasmine rice is less processed as compared to other rice varieties and has many nutrients intact. This variety of jasmine rice can help us in keeping full and preventing us from overeating. It can also help us to get rid of the problem of constipation as well. The fibre present in jasmine rice can help to make our stools softer and helps our body to absorb nutrients from the food by slowing the food passage in our body.
Jasmine rice consists of a compound known as 'phytonutrients' that protect the cells in our bodies and improves our immunity. High in manganese, jasmine rice provides us with a mineral that plays a vital role in the healthy functioning of our body. This variety of rice can also become a good food choice to be included in the diets of athletes or people who engage in exercises in which we need endurance. Both white and brown jasmine rice can fuel up the glycogen in our muscles, which is essential for smooth and high-intensity workouts.
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