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Brown rice

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Brown rice is a whole grain that many people enjoy. It has a tan or brown color. This color comes from two layers called the bran and the germ. When people process rice, they remove a hard outer part called the hull or husk. In brown rice, the bran and germ stay on the grain. White rice is different because the bran and germ are removed too.

Some grains have even more color. You can find red rice, gold rice, and black rice. Black rice is also called purple rice. These are all whole grains with colorful outer layers.

Cooking this rice is a special process. It usually takes longer than cooking white rice. A study from 2003 estimated a cooking time between 35 and 51 minutes. You can use "converted" rice to cook it faster. This is also called parboiled rice. You can also use rice that has been flour blasted. This makes tiny holes in the bran without removing it.

If you cook it in hot water, you can lower the arsenic. Arsenic is a natural part of the earth. It can be found in many common grains. Cooking in hot water can reduce inorganic arsenic by 40 to 60 percent.

Brown rice is very good for your body. Cooked long-grain brown rice is mostly water. It is 70% water and 26% carbohydrates. It also has 3% protein and 1% fat. A serving provides 123 calories of food energy. It is a rich source of manganese. This means it has 36% of the Daily Value. It is also a moderate source of magnesium and phosphorus. It has niacin and thiamine too.

Many farmers grow brown rice in Vietnam. They grow it mostly in the central and northern provinces. In 2023, the area for this rice was 150,000 hectares. This produced 1.2 million tons of rice. Brown rice has high economic value there. It is a popular item in the market. The price is usually 10 to 20 percent higher than white rice. Vietnam could even make it a major export product.

People all over the world are buying more brown rice. They want more fiber in their diets. They also like that it has a lower glycemic index than white rice. This helps people stay healthy. You can find it in supermarkets and online stores. The Asia-Pacific region eats the most brown rice. This is because of traditional diets. People in Europe and North America are eating it more now. They often look for organic food products.

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