Rice is one of the most important commodities in the world and directly feeds more people than any other crop. Because of this, it is a staple food in many countries including China. However, what else is there to know about this amazing crop? You probably haven't given rice much thought. It's just a cooking staple with a permanent spot in your pantry, right? Wrong answer! See for yourself with these interesting rice facts!
1. Rice plays a part in Chinese folklore!
In China, young girls are told that they should finish all of the rice on their plates because otherwise, each grain of rice would represent each scar, pimple or blemish on their future husband’s face. You wouldn’t want that to happen won’t you?
2. Rice as a greeting!
China is well-known for its rice production. In fact, a popular greeting in the country is to ask if someone has ‘eaten rice today’ 今天吃米饭 ! It’s the Chinese equivalent of asking how you are! 相当于在问你自己好吗 ! So, next time when you travel to China, why not greet locals by asking ‘eaten rice today’?
3. The Great Wall of China is held together with sticky rice!
Great Wall was being built during the Ming dynasty in the 15th and 16th centuries; workers used a porridge made with rice along with calcium carbonate as a mortar to hold the wall's stones together. Wow, that’s a brilliant idea back then!
4. Everyone love rice!
Rice has an incredibly long history (with documentation of people eating it as early as 3000 B.C.) = That’s more than 5000 years ago!
5. Eating rice can actually make you happier!
Of course, eating something as delicious and satisfying as rice can typically make you happy, but besides this, carbohydrates like rice trigger the production of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a hormone known to boost mood and help reduce your appetite. Plus, rice is easy to prepare, relatively cheap and nutritionally rewarding. Who wouldn’t be happy about that?