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Jasmine rice

language culture Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Jasmine rice is a special kind of long-grain rice. It is known for a lovely, natural scent. This smell is like popcorn or pandan leaves. The scent comes from a compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. Many people prefer the "new crop" from the latest harvest. This is because the aroma can fade quickly. People love the soft texture and slightly sweet flavor. It is stickier than American long-grain rice. However, it is less sticky than glutinous rice.

Growing and preparing this rice involves several steps. First, farmers cut the long stalks of the plants. Next, they go through a process called threshing. The rice can stay in a form called paddy rice. If you remove only the outer hull, you get brown rice. This type keeps a light tan outer layer. It contains vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin B. It also has antioxidants for the nervous system. If you mill it more, you get white rice. White rice is often chosen because it is easy to digest.

This rice has a very interesting history. It was first discovered in Ban Laem Pradu. This is in the Chonburi Province of Thailand. A sample called "Sample 105" was found there. It was chosen for its slender, white shape. Experts moved it to Chachoengsao Province later on. Between the mid-1940s and early 1950s, it grew there. It was eventually named Khao Dawk Mali 105. People now call it Khao Hom Mali for short. Most of it grows in the Thung Kula Rong Hai region.

Different countries grow their own unique varieties. Thailand and Cambodia share many similar types. Cambodian jasmine rice includes varieties like Phka Rumduol. Other types are Phka Romeat and Phka Rumdeng. Scientists used DNA analysis to study these grains. They looked at 18 different markers in the rice. This helped them see how the varieties are related. In Thailand, high quality rice comes from specific provinces. These are Surin, Buriram, and Sisaket.

Chefs around the world recognize how good this rice is. It has won many big awards. In 2017, Thai Hom Mali 105 won a top prize. It beat 21 other competitors in Macau. Judges looked at the taste and the grain shape. Cambodia also did very well in that contest. In 2022, the Phka Rumduol variety won a major title. This happened at a conference in Phuket, Thailand. You will often see this rice in many restaurants. It is great with stir fries, grilled food, or soups.

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