Lately I’ve been on the look out to trying different types of rice, besides the usual brown and white version.
I found Lotus Foods to have a wide selection, from Kalijira rice to Cambodian Mekong Flower Rice. But I decided to try Bhutanese rice and also China Black Forbidden rice.
Lotus Foods Bhutanese Rice is “an ancient colored-bran short-grain rice grown 8,000 feet in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Irrigated with 1,000 year old glacier water rich in trace minerals.”
I really like this Bhutan red rice. It has a nutty taste, soft texture and reddish brown color. It’s almost like the cousin of the brown rice, but tastier. Because it is a short grain rice, I prefer to eat it as dessert. I’ve drizzled with honey and also tried eating it mixed with steamed kobacha (Japanese pumpkin). The combination really brings out the nutty taste of both and not too sweet.
More about Lotus Foods: “Lotus Foods was founded with the intent and vision to support sustainable global agriculture by promoting production of traditional heirloom rice varieties, many of which may otherwise have become extinct, while enabling the small family rice farmer to earn an honorable living. Lotus Foods is the only US-based company with the unique vision and commitment to seek out small family rice farmers in developing countries and provide them a means of economic support through access to a global and sustainable marketplace economy. ”
Lotus Food has this recipe which I may try later.
Coconut Rice Pudding By Michael Keane, Bridges Restaurant
4 oz. Organic Jasmine Rice or Bhutanese Red Rice
13.5 oz heavy cream
3 oz sugar
13.5 oz coconut milk unsweetened
1 vanilla bean split lengthwise (open bean pod with back of a knife, push all seed pods out)Stir continually medium/low heat all ingredients.
Serve with tropical fruit compote, mango cubes, pineapple bananas, strawberries and whole mint leaves.
I am looking forward to cooking China Black rice soon.
Lotus Foods rice can be found at Whole Foods and Safeway (in California). They come in 15 oz bag and retails for about $4 - $5.
10:48 pm on October 21st, 2009
I’ve always wanted to visit Bhutan, their rice seems interesting, would be nice to visit the rice paddies. Their price here is almost the same as the newly grown rice in NC, they are selling 7lbs for $28 and I found out that there are many rice paddies in this area.
I’m glad you mention dessert here, the steamed coconut sticky rice is also good with ice cream topping, I had it at Lee’s birthday party, and people really liked it, especially the coconut pineapple flavor, I thought you might be interested in trying.
10:41 pm on October 22nd, 2009
Hi Nye,
I saw a travel show with Michael Palin about Bhutan. The people seem friendly and their clothing is interesting too. I think it would be a nice place to visit too.
As for the local NC rice, that is not a bad price. I would order some if shipping isn’t too much. Also love the tip about ice cream topping. I will try it next time, pina colada flavor sounds really good!
10:55 am on October 24th, 2009
That is very pricey for less than a pound of rice. Wow! Would love to try some still:))
11:34 pm on October 26th, 2009
Hi PaNoy,
I guess the Lotus Food rice company are giving back to the small family farms. So you pay a little extra. I think it’s worth it.