Why these 3 unique types of rice are better than white rice!

Rice is one of the most commonly eaten foods in the world, with over half the global population depending on rice for over 20% of their daily caloric intake. While white long-grain rice is the standard, there are a wide variety of different types of rice, each with their own unique tastes, flavours and benefits.

In this article, we take a look at three alternative types of rice, discover their unique benefits and why you should start thinking about incorporating them into your everyday diet!

Brown Rice

Brown rice (or wholegrain rice) is a  type of rice that has only had the outer husk removed, keeping the  grain’s bran, germ and endosperm. Because brown rice keeps these parts of the grain, you get a highly nutritious rice, rich in vitamins and minerals.

Brown rice is also much higher in magnesium and fiber than its white counterpart. This has a direct impact on your blood sugar levels, with studies showing that eating brown rice over white rice lowers blood sugar levels and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Wild Rice

You’ll be surprised to know that wild rice isn’t rice at all, rather the edible grain of an aquatic grass originally found in North America and Asia. Wild rice is cooked exactly like other types of rice, though they require longer cooking and have a stronger taste.

Wild rice however has a few benefits which separate it from the rest. Wild rice has almost double the amount of protein of both brown and white rice. It also contains antioxidants and amino acids, which both contribute to a healthy heart and immune system.

Black Rice

Perhaps the most exotic of all types of rice, black rice, also known as forbidden rice, is a great healthy alternative to white rice. Don’t let its black-purple colour put you off, black rice is stacked with healthy vitamins and minerals.

Like wild rice, black rice is high in protein and contains a high amount of antioxidants and iron - both great contributors to your health. It is also naturally gluten-free which makes it a perfect choice for those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

How to cook different types of rice to perfection

Despite their great health benefits, many people opt not to eat brown, wild and black rice due to their tedious preparation and long cooking times. These types of rice usually need to be soaked for hours before being extensively boiled for best results. They also require constant maintenance to avoid spillage or overcooking.

Thankfully, strides in cooking innovation make it effortless to cook brown, wild and black rice perfectly, with BOILSTEAM technology at the forefront of this innovation.

Unique to the Acook Rice Cooker, BOILSTEAM technology cooks rice in two steps. During the first phase, the cooker boils the rice and steam is generated during the second phase, which completes the cooking process. This 2-in-1 cooking process delivers tastier and fluffier results, even for the most arduous types of rice. It also significantly cuts their cooking time and helps retain their aforementioned vitamins and minerals.