Welcome to the grain of rice website

On this page you can find some interesting (or not so interesting) facts about rice.

 

 

• Rice is grown in over 100 countries and on every continent except Antarctica.


• At least 50% of all the world's rice is eaten within 8 miles of where it is grown.


• There are more than 40,000 different varieties of rice.


• Sake is an alcoholic drink that the Japanese make from fermented rice.


• The average Asian consumer eats around 150 kg of rice annually compared to the average European who eats around 5 kg.


• Basmati is a variety of long grain rice, famous for its fragrance and delicate flavour. Its name means 'the fragrant one' in Hindi, but it can also mean the 'soft rice.'


• The world record for eating the most grains of rice using chopsticks in 3 minutes is 78 grains. The record is held by Rob Beaton of the USA.


• Rice is an excellent source of energy, especially energy-giving carbohydrates, which are used in the body for brain performance, physical activity, bodily functions and everyday growth and repair.


• Rice contains negligible amounts of sodium, with less than 5mg sodium per 100g serve. It is therefore a super food for those who need to watch their salt intake.


• 2004 was officially known as The International Year of Rice


• On average, farmers need 2,000 litres of water to produce one kilogram of rice.


• An old tradition was to toss rice at a wedding couple to bless them with good fortune and fertility. Today, some still throw rice, but confetti, bubbles or rose petals are often substituted for safety and environmental reasons.