GABA Rice - On Top of the Healthy Rice Pyramid

White vs Brown

Most people know that brown rice is better for you than white rice as it contains more protein and nutrients than white rice.  However, most people aren't aware of just why brown rice has so many more nutrients. The reason behind this is simple.  Most of the nutrients contained in brown rice lies between the brown outer layer and the white inner layer.  White rice is really brown rice that has been polished by removing the brown outer layer as well as the inner layer where all the nutrients are.   

In 2004, the United Nations did a study of rice and discovered a way to make brown rice even more nutritious and healthy than it already was by germinating the rice. Germinated brown rice is known as GABA or GBR rice and has twice the nutrients as brown rice and more than 10 times the nutrients of white rice.

Health Benefits of GABA Rice 

GABA Rice

GABA rice has many health benefits.  Not only is this rice loaded with essential vitamins, B, C, E, dietary fiber, phytic acid, but the amount of gamma amiobutyric acid (thus the GABA) is increased.

Studies show that GABA rice may help prevent various health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and certain types of cancer as well as helping you to control your body weight or even lose weight.

How GABA Rice Is Made

GABA rice is made by soaking brown rice in warm water for up to three days until the rice germinates. Once the rice is germinated, you cook it exactly like you would normal brown rice, with the added nutrients and health benefits. Cooked GABA rice is slightly softer than normal brown rice and has a wonderful taste.

Buying GABA Rice 

There are a number of different places where you can purchase GABA rice.  Many health stores carry this rice, as do many Asian markets.  You can also purchase this rice from any number of online stores and there are even brands of this rice sold on sites such as Amazon.  However, one should be prepared to spend a good amount of money for this rice as GABA rice is quite expensive.  8 ounces of this rice (1 cup) may cost around $3.00, which make this rice beyond the budget of many people in today's economy.

Making GABA Rice at Home

For those who want the health benefits of GABA rice, but can't afford to purchase this rice, you can make it yourself from that package of brown rice that may be sitting in your kitchen cupboard.  All you really need is brown rice, water, and a light bulb or hot plate that has a warm setting and a little time and effort.

You begin by rinsing the brown rice two or three times. Then add between ½ inch to ¾ inch of water to the rice and set it on the hot plate or under the light bulb.  Every 6 hours you will need to drain off the warm water in the rice and add more warm water.  The water and rice will have a slightly unpleasant smell but, this is normal, The odor will disappear once the rice has germinated and is cooked.

Depending on the temperature of the water, it will take the rice anywhere from 20 hours to 3 days to germinate.  When you see little sprouts appear at one end of the rice kernel, you know that germination has taken place.  You then drain off the water for the last time and cook the rice just like you would normally cook brown rice.

Here is a three-minute video by TheCoconutMomma on how to sprout or germinate brown rice.

GABA Rice in a Rice Cooker  

Zojirushi-NS-YAC10/18 Umami GABA Rice Cooker

There is an alternative shortcut to germinating brown rice in your basement. A high-end rice cooker by a Japanese household appliance manufacturer, Zojirushi, will do the trick in a few short hours. For more information on how the rice cooker can germinate the brown rice and cook it to perfection, please check out Zojirushi NS-YAC10/18 Umami Rice Cooker.

With all the health benefits of GABA rice, it may be well worth adding it to your normal healthy diet.

Rice Varieties - Which One Is Healthier for You?

Varieties of Rice

If you thought you knew everything there was to know about rice, then think again.  There are over 40,000 thousand different varieties of rice. Many varieties are made by combining two or more different types of rice to get a new rice variety. This new variety has the characteristics of both the original types of rice and new twist from the combinations. Some varieties began as more traditional types of rice and the characteristics have evolved through time and growing conditions.   Here are a few different types of rice and what they are used for.

Major Rice Categories

There are 7 major or general types of rice.  These categories are:

1. Long grain rice - Rice that has long slender kernels and when cooked swells more in length than width.  Long grain rice kernels are 4 to 5 times longer than they are wide and when cooked the kernels separate easily.
2. Medium grain rice - Medium grained rice is 2 to 3 times longer than it is wide. The rice still separates nicely, but tends to be somewhat more clingy than long grained.
3. Short grain rice - Is usually about as long as it is wide and when cooked it can be plumped, but does have a tendency for the kernels to cling together.
4. Waxy rice (sweet rice) - Waxy rice is short and has plump kernels of rice that are chalky white and have a tendency to lose shape when cooked.  This rice is often used as thickening in commercial products or to be used for dessert in Asian cooking.
5. Brown rice - Brown rice is rice that the hulls are left on (all white rice is polished brown rice). It has a slight nutty flavor and is chewy when cooked.  Brown rice contains more vitamins and minerals than white rice.
6. Wild rice - Are the seeds of various marsh grasses. Most wild rice sold comes from Canada or India.
7. Aromatic rice - This is any number of rices that come from all over the world and have distinct aromas and taste.

Here is a look at some of the specific types of rice from around the world and what dishes this rice may be used to create.

Rice Around the World (Not Quite) in 60 Seconds

Arborio Rice

Arborio rice is an Italian short grain rice with a high starch content.  It is normally used to make risotto, a creamy rice dish with some chewy tidbits.  U.S. Arborio is a large medium grain rice with a distinctive white dot in the center that is also used in making risotto.

Red Rice

Versions of red rice come from various parts of the world.  The most well known of the red rice varieties comes from Bhutan France and is often cooked in water or bullion with mushrooms and served as side dish with vegetables, meats such as chicken or fish.

Jasmine Rice

Jasmine rice is a long grain rice originated in Thailand.  It is often used to pair up with stir-fry dishes in Asian cuisines.  The U.S. Variety of Jasmine rice is a long grain rice that has a popcorn flavor and it too is used in Chinese stir-fry dishes.

Basmati Rice- Originated in India and Pakistan and is an aged rice used in a number of ways often served with spicy (curry) meat, fish, or vegetables.  U.S. Basmati rice is a cross between traditional Basmati rice and long grain rice.

You might be wondering which rice is best for you. The simple answer is brown rice which is packed with nutrients, fiber, bran oil and vitamins, just to name a few. If you want to take a step further, then GAGA rice is even better. GABA rice is a germinated brown rice with many times of the nutritional value than the plain brown and white rice.

From the Orient to India, from the Middle East to Italy, rice is a staple in most countries' diet.  Some of these countries eat rice on a daily basis and others only use it as an occasional side dish. It is one of the most consumed and familiar grains in the world.

Is Nishiki Rice a Healthy Rice?

What Is Nishiki Rice?

Rice has long been a staple in Japan and is used as both a side dish and in the making of many entrees as well as appetizers. Different types of rice are used for various dishes, however one of the most versatile types of rice is known as Nishiki rice.

Nishiki rice is a brand of short grained rice that is used in Japan to make sushi, sake, and sticky rice. It comes in both white and brown rice varieties. Now Nishiki rice is being grown in some parts of California.

Although 1/4 cup of Nishiki rice has more calories than a cup of regular white rice, it contains less fat and the stickiness of this rice makes it especially ideal for rolling into sushi rolls and eating with chop sticks. Nishiki rice also has a great flavor.

How Is Nishiki Rice Milled?

The new process for milling Nishiki rice is somewhat unique. The process is called munsenmai (no-wash-rice) and it mixes the rice with water and heated tapioca. The tapioca attaches itself to the bran of the rice and floats to the top of the water. When the rice is then rinsed off, the bran is removed along with the tapioca. The process results in less water needed in the cooking of the rice and no need for pre-rinsing.

Nutritional Value Of Nishiki Rice

While Nishiki rice does have a good flavor, it really is not high in any sort of nutritional value. The rice has 150 calories for 1/4 cup, (compared to 102 calories per cup of regular rice) is 11% carbohydrate and has no protein, vitamins and minerals.

Nishiki brown rice does fair somewhat better in the nutritional department. While it does have the same amount of calories as Nishiki white rice, it has 1% less of carbohydrates and does contain 3 grams of protein and 2% iron.

Making Sushi At Home

It is not difficult to make sushi at home as long as you have the right "utensils" to cook the rice and to roll the sushi. Having a sushi mat is all you need to roll the sushi. Cooking sushi rice in a rice cooker is perhaps your best bet to ensure the rice is cooked just right for making sushi.There are many rice cookers that will do the trick. If you'd like to have the perfect appliance for everything you do in your kitchen, then look for a rice cooker that has "sushi" setting on the menu. This will ensure that nothing will go wrong with preparing the sushi rice.

After the rice is cooked and prepared for sushi. You simply need a strip of nori (seaweed) which you lay on a sheet of plastic wrap and then coat with the Nishiki rice. You then turn the nori over so the riced side is against the plastic wrap and put a bit of rice on the top of edge of this side of the nori. Next place your sushi ingredient (e.g. fresh avocado, cucumber, etc.) in the center. You then use the sushi mat to form the sushi into a roll, remove the plastic wrap and cut into bite size pieces. Serve with soy sauce and wasabi (Japanese horseradish) that's so pungent and will clear your sinus out in one bite. So be very sparing with the wasabi.

Where To Buy Nishiki Rice

Despite the fact that a type of Nishiki rice is now being raised in parts of California, this rice can often be somewhat difficult to find on the local grocer shelves. Unless your grocery store carries a large variety of ethnic foods from different cultures, chances are that you are going to have to shop for this rice somewhere else.

The best places to buy Nishiki rice are Asian food stores or at least food stores that carry a line of Asian foods. You may buy this rice through the Internet. There are a number of Asian food stores on line that carry Nishiki as well as sites such as Amazon.com.