White rice may be more popular than its brown counterpart, but the latter is certainly packed with way more nutrients. If you want to eat rice and stay healthy, then you might want to consider trying Dawat Basmati brown rice now available at Delybazar. After all, you can always order some from online grocery stores in Kolkata, from the comfort of your couch.
So, what is this brown rice?
Simply put, brown rice is produced when only the outermost layer of the rice grain, the hull, is removed, leaving the inner layers intact. The rice germ and bran are both kept intact, giving the grains a warm, brown shade. In white rice, these layers are removed and the individual grains are polished, which means they contain a little fibre and a lot of starch, but not too many nutrients.
Apart from this, the aroma of brown rice is a lot more delicious than white rice, as many who have tried it will say. However, the rice is also more susceptible to going rancid, because of the oils present in the germ and bran. To increase its shelf life, the rice should ideally be stored in an airtight box and refrigerated. That way, it can be stored for about 6 months.
The presence of bran and germ make brown rice exceptionally healthy, with lots of minerals and vitamins in excellent quantities. The rice provides a significant percentage of the recommended daily intake of selenium, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper, which can help the body fight off infections, improve brain functions, and maintain healthy blood.
Brown rice contains healthy amounts of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), which can lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) in blood, helping keep your cardiovascular system healthy. It can help you maintain overall good health as well.
Apart from this, brown rice is also rich in dietary fibre, which keeps the digestive system healthy, and as research has indicated, might help the body fight against colon cancer.
Make delicious rice pudding: Add cooked brown rice to warm milk. Bring to a boil, add sugar, raisins, elaichi and nutmeg, and stir for a while. Turn off the heat, pour the pudding in a bowl, cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for a while. Serve chilled.
Whip up a rice salad for lunch: Got leftover brown rice? Toss it with chicken, tofu/paneer cubes, assorted nuts, or sauteed vegetables. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top and add a dash of lemon juice for extra flavour. This can be a good lunch for someone on the move.
Quickly prepare a hearty dinner: Got some brown rice left from lunch? Prepare dinner by adding a can of beans to it, along with sauteed or boiled veggies. Keep some salt and pepper handy, and you have a filling dinner, right there.