CHATI

White rice (milled rice) has had its husk, bran and germ removed. After milling the rice is polished to give a pure white appearance.

The polisihing process removes valuable nutrients. In developed countries some white rice is enriched with nutrients that were stripped during the processing of the rice. Nutrients added include vitamin B1, B3 and Iron.

Brown rice and wild rice are far healthier alternatives and contain siginificant dietary fibre. minerals and vitamins.

As with all natural foods , precise nutritional composition of rice varies depending on climatic and soil conditions.

nutritional content of rice (milled-white) per 120g medium grain cooked

Nutrient                                         Amount present                                 %RDA

Calories                                          433                                                        18

Protein                                             7.8g                                                       10.8%

Fat                                                    1.2g                                                       1.6%

Vitamin B1                                     0.096mg                                                8.0%

vitamin B2                                      0.024mg                                               1.6%

Niacin                                             1.8mg                                                     10.6%

Folic Acid                                        12mg                                                     5.3%

Iron                                                  0.6mg                                                    4.3%

Calcium                                          4.8mg                                                    0.6%

Souce: Sustainable agriculture and resistance:transforming food production in Cuba

If anyone knows why its so difficult to purchase brown or wild rice in India please let me know. Is the reasoning behind this historical ? I know during the 19th century brown rice was associated with famine and poverty, so perhaps white rice being purchased is trying to avoid this association with poverty in India?