5 Types Of Rice In India That Are Healthy Yet Delicious
Rice is one of the most popular foods and the largest growing crops in India, almost covering about a quarter of the country’s total cultivated area. With almost 130 million tonnes of production yearly, the country is ranked as the second-largest producer and the world’s largest rice exporter, making. This makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy. India has fertile land and skilled farmers backed with the proper irrigation knowledge, making it possible to grow different types of rice in India.
Many of us only enjoy the different dishes prepared with rice and are probably unaware of the varieties of rice and the health benefits associated with them. Therefore, we arrange a rice name list of the different types of rice in India with their nutritional properties. So, lLet’s dive into it. the different types of rice in India to serve on the plate.
Rice Name List With Their Properties
How many types of rice in India do you know? Perhaps, Basmati, brown rice, or black rice? The exact numbers will surprise you! There were a total of 110000 types of rice in India, from which only 6000 species of rice are left due to the green revolution. Nevertheless, the variety of rice in India is the highest globally. It is time to discuss the major types of rice in India.
1. Basmati Rice
Basmati is the most popular variety of rice in India, widely found in every householdome. It is highly used for preparing biryani, pilaf, and many other royal rice dishes. The word Basmati means full of aroma, and you can actually feel it. They are long grain, aromatic, and absolutely delicious.
Properties for 1 cup cooked white basmati rice
Calories | 210 |
Proteins | 4 grams |
Fat | 0.5 grams |
Carbohydrates | 46 grams |
Fibre | 0.7 grams |
Sugar | 0 grams |
Health benefits
- Cure diabetes
- Aid constipation
- Better heart health
- Reduce cancer risks
- Improve brain functionality
2. Brown Rice
Brown rice is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, so it is considered a healthier choice among other types of rice in India. Its antioxidant properties reduce cell damage and the risk of premature ageing. Brown rice is majorly grown in the salty area of the region because they require more fertilizer to cultivate. Though they are not as delicious as white rice, they offer vast health benefits.
Properties for ½ cup of cooked white rice
Calories | 108 |
Proteins | 3 grams |
Fat | 1 gram |
Carbohydrates | 22 grams |
Fibre | 2 grams |
Sugar | 0 grams |
Health benefits
- Reduce diabetes risks
- Improve heart health
- Control weight
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3. Black Rice
Black rice is native to Northeastern India and widely grown in Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. It is one of the types of rice in India that isare famous for the combination of delicious, healthy, and aesthetically appealing attributes. You can see different types of black rice worldwide, but the Indian variety is long-grained, which means it is strictly healthier.
Properties for 1 cup cooked black rice
Calories | 173 |
Proteins | 5 grams |
Fat | 2 grams |
Carbohydrates | 38 grams |
Fibre | 3 grams |
Sugar | 1 gram |
Cholesterol | 0 gram |
Sodium | 4 milligrams |
Health benefits
- Improve eye health
- Manage diabetes
- Reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions
- Improve overall health
4. Red Rice
Farmers cultivate various types of rice in India, and red rice is one of them. Like basmati rice, they are long and delectable. The reddish tinge comes from anthocyanin, a water-soluble pigment. Red rice comes with a nutty flavour and is high in nutritional factors. Ayurveda gives importance to red rice because of its unexceptional ability to pacify tri doshas- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Red rice is a powerhouse of antioxidants, zinc, calcium, and iron, crucial in strengthening the body.
Properties for 1 cup cooked red rice
Calories | 1o9 |
Proteins | 23 grams |
Fat | 0.8 grams |
Carbohydrates | 23 grams |
Fibre | 1.8 grams |
Sugar | 1 gram |
Health benefits
- ControlsLower blood glucose levels
- Fight against lung disorder
- Build bone health
- Support digestion
- Maintain heart health
- Help in weight loss
5. Seeraga Rice
Seeraga rice is a famous Tamil Nadu variety. The name of rice is taken from its appearance, which looks similar to cumin seeds. When we talk about the types of rice in India, seeraga rice is another variety used for preparing biryani. Seeraga rice isn’t a long grain, but it keeps adding aroma and taste to your food. As a result, many restaurants prefer using seeraga rice over basmati.
Properties for 1 cup cooked seeraga rice
Proteins | 3 grams |
Fat | 0 gram |
Carbohydrates | 38 grams |
Fibre | 2.3 grams |
Health benefits
- Fight cancer
- Lower cholesterol
- Control calories
- Eases digestion
- Improves constipation
Apart from these, there are several other types of rice in India known for specific qualities. Indrayani, mapilai samba, ponni, valencia, sona masuri, tulaipanji, wada kolam, bamboo, dubraj, HMT kolam, mogra, sticky, jasmine, wild rice to name a few. This is still not a complete rice name list since there are over 6000 types of rice in India. They are aromatics, full of flavour, and nutritionally balanced as well. Each one of them has its own charisma, from appearance to texture. If you are fond of rice, you must try at least five wide varieties of rice in India. You will be amazed at their taste and health benefits and regret at the same time why you have not tried them earlier. Try new recipes with these types of rice in India, and add a healthy variety of dishes to your meal chart!