What's New in Rice Archive
Spotlight on U.S.-Grown Rice: California's Bounty
About California Rice
California is a trend-setting state that features culinary riches from its diverse and plentiful crops to talented chefs who bring creative and satisfying meals to the table. As the second largest rice producing state, family farmers produce more than four billion pounds of high-quality rice every year mostly in the Sacramento Valley using sustainable farming practices. The majority of rice grown is short grain and medium grain japonica varieties such as the popular Calrose rice, which are characteristically moist and clingy, making them perfect choices for sushi, Asian cuisine, Mediterranean dishes and more. Many specialty rice varieties are also grown in California, including whole grain "colored rice" like black and mahogany japonica, red rice, aromatic varieties and organic rice.
The California Rice Commission (CRC) represents the entire California rice industry, including all 2,500 rice growers and handlers who farm and process rice produced on approximately 500,000 acres. The CRC is the number one resource for information, recipes, education materials, news and suppliers of California rice. Visit calrice.org.
Download a copy of California Rice 101, a comprehensive guide that provides information about California's rice industry, different types of rice and how to best prepare them in sushi, paella, risotto and many other dishes.
Japanese Relief Efforts Undertaken By California Rice Industry
The California rice industry has come to the aid of friends and business colleagues in Japan who have suffered devastating losses from recent earthquakes and tsunami. Through the trade group, California Rice Industry Association, the entire industry comprised of growers, marketers, millers and warehousemen have donated $50,000 to relief efforts and have provided online links to relief organizations to increase awareness and resources to help the Japanese people.
"Our industry owes much to the Japanese people, and we are deeply saddened by the natural disasters that have struck," commented California Rice Industry Association Chairman Frank Rehermann. "We are coordinating with the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco to do what we can to help their recovery."
Learn more about how you can help.
California Rice Commission Adds a 'Farmer and Guest Blog' to Website
Guest writers can highlight topics of interest on California Rice Commission's new blog. Topics range from agriculture, food, wildlife to local events and news. Contributors include farmers, chefs, industry professionals and more. View recent video post of California assembly member Mariko Yamada, who comments on the value and benefits of California rice.
Farmers' Insights: Interested in hearing from the farmers? Check recent post by 3rd generation California rice farmer Sean Doherty, Season Opener, about how the rice planting season is kicking off. He farms in Yolo, Colusa, and Sutter Counties with his wife Melissa and three children.
Video: Lundberg Family Farms talks about the family history of their farm and the unique varieties they grow, and discusses the importance of using sustainable rice farming practices.
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Did you Know? California rice fields provide unparalleled wildlife habitat and are home to some 230 wildlife species. The state's ricelands provide more than half of the food for 7 to 10 million migrating ducks and geese in the Central Valley. Read more in the latest issue of Audubon Magazine.
World Renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa Serves California-Grown Rice
Recent issue of Restaurant Hospitality magazine features an interview with highly acclaimed chef and restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa, famous for his East-West fusion cuisine inspired by Japanese, Peruvian and Argentinean cooking. When asked about the ingredients he uses on his menus, Chef Nobu reported that he uses California-grown rice. "We talk to the farmer about the rice we want and they grow it for us," he said.
Matsuhisa, a native of Japan, owns 25 restaurants across five continents, having started with successful restaurants in Los Angeles and opening numerous restaurants in New York and other major cities with partners including actor Robert DeNiro.
When asked what his choice for a special last supper would be, Matsuhisa said, "Absolutely sushi -- because I started my business with sushi." California short and medium-grain varieties are widely used for sushi and Asian cuisines.