A warm bowl of rice always gives the feeling of coming back home after a long, long time. Rice has been an important part of so many of our childhood memories, from the delicious taste of it mixed with dal prepared by loving hands to the sweet kheer we would have in our grandmother’s kitchen.
Rice is a part of so many traditional meals around the world. It is a part of several cultures, like being used to make flavourful sushi in Japan and even used as a filling for Karelian pies in Finland. Thus, it is a constant in a lot of households and lives.
This means that we need to pay extra attention to the type of rice we eat. From different tastes to different nutritional values, each rice type has its special characteristics. It’s not just divided into brown and white. Hence, we need to be aware of the type of rice we choose to involve in cuisines.
After all, the right food decisions can make a lot of difference, such as improving heart health, helping with anemia, and even possibly reducing the risk of cancer.
So, to try to live this healthier lifestyle, why not start with something simple like rice? We’re here to help you do just that. Today, we are going to compare the different traits of two types of rice: jasmine rice and white rice. By the end of this article, maybe you’ll be a bit clearer on just what you want to buy.
Jasmine Rice
Jasmine rice is a long-grain variety of rice belonging to the Oryza sativa species, which is also called Asian rice. It is commonly grown in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Jasmine riceJasmine rice is a type of fragrant rice, which means that it has a buttery popcorn smell. This is because of the presence of aroma compounds such as 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. This is why it is also known as Thailand fragrance rice.
When cooked, Jasmine rice gains a fluffy, slightly-sticky texture, having a bit of a sweet and nutty flavor. This type of rice is extremely popular because it tastes delicious in meals and is of great quality,
Though we may often associate jasmine rice with white color, there are other types of jasmine rice as well. Apart from white jasmine rice, there are also brown, black, purple, and red varieties available.
Depending on the one you choose, you would get different nutritional benefits. Brown jasmine rice, in particular, contains extra fiber which makes it lower in carbs and healthier.
White Rice
White rice is rice that has been processed at the mill, having its hull (protective coating), bran (outer layer), and germ (inner nutrient-rich part) removed. This means that this is rice that had been stripped of its fiber and nutrients. Hence, it is often viewed as unhealthy.
White riceWhite rice can be of short, medium, and long-grain types, coming in many varieties such as basmati, originario, arborio, etc. It also has different consistencies such as a soft, light, fluffy texture for some and sticky, gluttonous textures for others.
Hence, we cannot associate one set of qualities for white rice, as those change from type to type. However, no matter which type it is, the rice will have less nutritional value due to being milled.
The Difference Between Jasmine Rice And White Rice
Now that you know some basic facts about each of these, you may want to discuss the difference between jasmine rice and white rice. Well, let’s resolve your confusion about jasmine rice vs. white rice by comparing these two in detail.
First, jasmine rice can be of the long-grain category, while white rice comes in all long, medium, and short-grain categories. Thus, size is the very first factor that sets apart jasmine rice and white rice.
Second, jasmine rice has a buttery-popcorn-like smell, while white rice is mostly without any special scent, excluding a few types.
Jasmine rice and white rice also vary in terms of consistency. Jasmine rice has a fluffy, slightly-clingy texture when cooked. On the other hand, the texture of white depends on the subtype. In general, white rice has a range of consistencies, from mildly sticky and chewy to glutinous rice which is often used in desserts.
Jasmine rice has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor while the taste of white rice depends on the subtype and can go from milder flavors to spicier ones like basmati.
White rice is white, but jasmine rice can be prepared in many ways and is not limited to just being a type of white rice. There are other categories of jasmine rice such as brown, purple, red, etc.
Depending on these types, nutritional value also changes. While white rice and white jasmine rice have similar nutrients, brown jasmine rice is on the healthier side as it still has its fiber content. Hence, brown jasmine rice is the more beneficial option when it comes to improving your food habits.
As you can see, the difference between jasmine rice and white rice is obvious in a lot of areas. So, your choice of rice would depend on what kind of outcome you are going for.
Which One Should you Pick?
So, in the battle of jasmine rice vs. white rice, which is the one that you should choose? Well, the answer depends on what you are looking for.
If you are looking for a healthier alternative, white jasmine rice will be no different than white rice. However, if you use brown jasmine rice, it would benefit you a lot more as it has more proteins and fiber.
Brown rice, in general, has been noted to be healthier than white rice, because it still has its whole grain content, whereas white rice has its nutrients stripped away. The properties of brown jasmine rice can help in reducing the absorption of blood sugar, essentially helping with type 2 diabetes.
Other than that, brown jasmine rice also has phytonutrients that support heart health and improve overall immunity.
Your choice between jasmine rice vs. white rice also depends on the kind of dish you are cooking. Since jasmine rice has a slightly-sticky texture, it is great when used for stir-fries, puddings, stews, etc.
Its sweet, nutty flavor and distinct fragrance go well when paired with Asian and Middle-Eastern spices. So, if those are the type of dishes you are going for, pick jasmine rice.
Ultimately, there is no one correct answer. Somedays, you just might prefer your trustable white rice and on others, you may just want to for something more aromatic.
Making Healthier Food Choices
A healthier lifestyle is a long and gradual process. Just deciding between jasmine rice and white rice will not be a solution for all your problems.
What you need to do is try and make better food choices whenever possible. Start your morning in a happy, healthy way, and try to stick to that mindset as often as you can. When the cravings hit you at night, attempt making some fruity meals instead of going for the sugar.
Making Healthier Food ChoicesRemember that the point of a healthy lifestyle is not to look attractive externally. Everybody is beautiful in their way, in whatever shape and size they come in, as long as they are comfortable with who they are. The motive behind leading a healthier and more responsible lifestyle should always be self-care and love. You are not doing it for anyone else, but yourself.
So, it’s okay to slip up and make mistakes, you are not disappointing anyone. What matters is that you are giving trying to walk on this road towards a healthier and happier you. Just that decision to keep going makes all the difference in the world.
