Rice

Fun Facts About Rice

• There are over 40,000 recorded varieties of rice worldwide. It is grown on every continent except Antarctica, but only a small fraction are widely cultivated for commercial use.
• Archaeological findings suggest rice was first domesticated in China around 9,000 to 10,000 years ago. But some studies suggest rice goes back 15,000 years in Korea.
• Asia produces and consumes approximately 90% of the world's rice. Key countries include China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Vietnam. These countries set aside roughly 333 million acres for rice production.
• White rice and brown rice originate from the same grain. The difference is the result of processing: brown rice keeps its outer layers, but white rice has these layers removed.
• Rice is an incredibly versatile resource. It is not only a key ingredient in other food products like noodles, vinegar, and milk, it is also used to make glue, paper, insulation and concrete.
• Throwing rice at weddings is an ancient tradition dating back to ancient Rome. It symbolizes a shower of fertility, prosperity and abundance for the newlyweds.
• Rice was used as currency in Japan for over a millennium starting in the 7th century. It functioned similar to gold, where it could be used to pay for goods, services, and taxes.
• Some varieties of rice plants can grow over 6 feet tall. Rice is typically grown in flooded fields called paddies, or lowlands. This practice is used as a method to control weeds and pests rather than because the plant requires immersion in water.