White rice is a natural favorite with its neutral flavor and quick cooking time. But to get that clean, starchy goodness the grain has to be polished to remove the outer husk (bran) and the nutrient-dense germ. When we treat the grain with our proprietary technique, however, we can unlock that white rice flavor without eliminating all the nutrients. Our process also allows the grain to become more permeable to water – meaning a shorter cook time. We call this partially-milled rice “blonde rice” or California Blonde™ which seems apt considering this rice is a sort of Goldilocks solution – not too branny, not too polished, just right.
Blonde rice is a perfect fit for families who eat brown rice regularly because it’s full of vitamins and minerals but enjoy white rice more sparingly as a treat (but miss that lovely, neutral flavor). While some will argue it’s no substitute for white rice, we think it’s a very smart and similar alternative. Yes, blonde rice has a slightly chewier bite than white rice, but it’s far closer to white than brown rice texture. Blonde rice has a subtler, sweeter flavor than traditional brown rice, so kids love it too!
When we say good for you, we mean it.
Let’s take a closer look at how blonde rice stacks up in terms of nutrition. It’s got ten times the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), seven times the magnesium and fiber, and three times the oryanzanol of white rice. We love that it’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids like GABA, but on top of all of that our process makes it easier for your body to digest and absorb all the benefits. For those with their eye on glycemic index, blonde rice also falls between white rice’s relatively high score (70+) and brown rice’s lower score (50+). Naturally, all of our rice products are gluten free and non-GMO.
Our blonde rice is also sprouted, which results in a higher-than-average germination rate, creating rice that’s richer in nutrients than any other. When we sprout rice, the seed turns its starches into vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and simple sugars to nourish the young plant. Sprouting at Planet Rice is a closed-loop pneumatic process where rice is received in a controlled facility, moisture-conditioned by high humidity air, and internal temperature is set to a proprietary temperature for several hours all to optimize taste, texture, bioavailability, and safety. We are happy to say we’re the most advanced when compared with other sprouting facilities in the U.S. because we know the sprouting process is key for some consumers.
Save time on dinner.
Making the rice kernel more permeable to water means cutting down on cooking time. While our other rice products need to simmer for 25-30 minutes, California Blonde comes in at 20 minutes.
Bring more GABA into your diet.
We mentioned earlier that blonde rice has ten times more gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) than white rice, so allow us to explain why that’s so exciting. GABA is a highly beneficial amino acid found in everyday foods including peaches, green snap beans, and rice. GABA is also made by our brains. Increasing our GABA intake has big benefits including lower anxiety, deeper sleep, lower blood pressure, and improved cardiovascular functioning. Our blonde rice has four times the GABA content of regular brown rice, and over ten times the GABA of white rice. Who couldn’t use more food that calms?
While we understand there are rice lovers who don’t dare stray from their favorites, we had to make a case for blonde rice. It’s a rare and innovative offering packed with excellent nutrition. Plus, it’s a perfect selection for the picky eaters at your table who usually turn their nose up to traditional brown rice.