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Jasmine rice

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Jasmine rice is a long-grain variety of fragrant rice known as aromatic rice. It is a type of Oryza sativa. This rice is famous for its unique scent and soft texture. The aroma is reminiscent of pandan leaves or popcorn. This fragrance comes from a natural compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. When cooked, the rice is moist and soft with a slightly sweet flavor. The grains cling together and are somewhat sticky. However, jasmine rice is less sticky than glutinous rice, which is Oryza sativa var. glutinosa. It contains less amylopectin, which is the substance that creates stickiness.

Preparing jasmine rice involves several distinct mechanical stages. First, farmers harvest the crop by cutting the long stalks. They then perform threshing to separate the grains. The rice can remain in a hulled form called paddy rice. If the rice is only de-hulled, it becomes brown rice. This version retains a light tan outer layer called the bran. If the rice is milled further, the germ and all or some of the bran are removed. This process produces white jasmine rice. White rice is often preferred for its taste and ease of digestion.

There are different types of jasmine rice based on how they are processed. Brown jasmine rice is quite nutritious. It contains vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B, and beta-carotene. It also contains antioxidants that support the nervous system. This variety has a flavor similar to oats. It contains gamma oryzanol, which can decrease cholesterol in blood vessels. White jasmine rice is different because it has a drier texture when cooked. The aroma in white rice is caused by the evaporation of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline.

The history of this rice begins in Thailand. It can be traced back to Ban Laem Pradu in the Phanat Nikhom District. This is located in the Chonburi Province. A specific rice sample was discovered there, known as "Sample 105." Experts selected it for its slender, jasmine-white long grain and its natural fragrance. This sample was moved to the Bang Khla District in Chachoengsao Province. This occurred between the mid-1940s and the early 1950s. Eventually, it was officially named Khao Dawk Mali 105. It is now often called Khao Hom Mali.

Jasmine rice is grown in several Southeast Asian countries. Thailand is a major producer, especially in the Thung Kula Rong Hai region. High quality hom mali is often grown in Surin, Buriram, and Sisaket Provinces. Cambodia also grows jasmine rice, such as the Phka Rumduol variety. Thai and Cambodian jasmine rice share many characteristics. They grow in neighboring areas on opposite sides of the Thai-Cambodian border. Laos and southern Vietnam also grow jasmine rice, though it is not their most common variety.

Scientists use DNA fingerprint analysis to study these rice varieties. They use 18 markers to identify different fragrance alleles. This helps them understand how the different types are related. For example, Phka Rumduol and Phka Rumdeng are distinctly Cambodian. They possess 17 markers in identical positions. Thai jasmine rice has a different position for one fragrance marker. The Cambodian variety Phka Romeat is even more similar to Thai rice. It shows all 18 markers in identical positions to the trademarked Thai hom mali.

Jasmine rice is highly valued in global culinary traditions. It is a staple in Thai, Vietnamese, and Cambodian restaurants. It is ideal for eating with stir fries or braised food. It also works well in soups if cooked slightly drier. The rice has a glycemic index between 68 and 80. This is higher than Basmati rice, which has a glycemic index of 59. People often eat jasmine rice with other foods to reduce its glycemic index by 20 to 40 percent.

Competitions often recognize the quality of different jasmine rice varieties. In 2017, Thailand's hom mali 105 was named the world's best rice. This happened at the World Rice Conference in Macau. It beat 21 other competitors. Judges, who were chefs from Macau, looked at the taste and grain shape. Cambodia finished in second place, and Vietnam finished in third. On November 17, 2022, the Phka Rumduol variety from Cambodia won a major title. It was crowned the World's Best Rice at a conference in Phuket, Thailand.

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