Olivier Poels 5:40 p.m., June 21, 2022
Second most consumed cereal in the world after wheat, rice has been known to humans since about 5000 years BC Its cradle of origin is in China.
Gradually, its culture spread throughout Asia, then moved west.
Alexander the Great brings it back to Greece in 320 BC. It is found in Spain and then in Italy around the 11th century.
In 1696, a boat loaded with rice ran aground on the coast of South Carolina.
The locals help the sailors repair the ship.
To thank them, a few bags of rice are offered to them.
This is the beginning of the history of rice cultivation in North America.
In France, rice has been eaten since the 14th century and cultivated since the 16th century in the Camargue.
Basmati rice, naturally fragrant, originates from India and Pakistan.
Cooking the rice:
Creole: boil a large volume of salted water, cook the rice in it and drain it
Pilaf: brown the rice in a little oil, moisten with 1.5 times its volume and cook covered for about 20 minutes until absorbed
Value: immerse the rice in cold water for 1 hour, drain and steam for 20/25 minutes
Risotto: pearl the rice in butter and cook by absorption with wine and broth
Rice pudding: cook the rice in milk, sugar and vanilla