Wild rice, in reality, is not a rice at all but rather a species of grain producing aquatic grass. This hearty chewy grain is a culinary specialty, prized by many gourmands for its flavor, texture, and whole grain allure. Nutritionally it provides things like protein and b vitamins, and it beautifully replaces white rice in many dishes.
Keep reading to learn a little more about this North American native grain.
- Wild rice is native to North America and was eaten for an unknown amount (thousands) of years before explorers discovered this continent. It is still cultivated in the upper freshwater lakes of Canada, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
- Historically, explorers made mention in their travels that the vitality of the native American’s was due to their consumption of this particular grain.
- Early french explorers called the grain folles avoines, or crazy oats.
- Wild rice is harvested green, then dried and threshed to remove the inedible outer hull.
- It is harvested from boats in the open water, beating sticks are used to knock the mature grains into holding containers. The harvesting process is a strenuous one, which is a reason wild rice is a specialty grain rather than a largely commercial one. The harvesting process requires specific methods and equipment as the plant is delicate and fragile, hence the hefty price tag on wild rice per pound.
- It takes about 120 lbs of green wild rice to yield one 60 lb bag of good wild rice with no broken kernels.
- The University of Minnesota created commercial friendly hybrid of wild rice that is sold in most grocery stores. It is called “paddy rice” because it grows in paddies, similar to brown rice, whereas other varieties grow in lakes and streams. There have been other hybrids created so all the grains mature at the same time rather than at the usual rate – the top of the stalk maturing before the bottom.
- There are many different types of wild rice, lending different flavors and uses. It does not only include the black stick-like breed you see pictured.
- If you are interested in local-ish brands, there are harvesters located in Idaho, Oregon and California. A popular Idaho brand is St. Maries Wild Rice + Ankeny Lakes Wild Rice Co or try Native Harvest for a more traditional rice from Minnesota.
how to cook wild rice
Different types of wild rice will require differing amounts of liquid and cooking time, but for the most part cultivated wild rice should be cooked with a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 3 cups of water whereas wild-crafted wild rice would be better cooked with a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 2 cups water.
Bring the water and rice to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Steam the rice until the crunchy bite is gone, about 40 minutes or more.
more tips on cooking rice here.
recipes for wild rice
creamy chicken and rice soup from rookie cookie. (substitute the white rice with cooked wild rice)
spring wild rice salad from 101 cookbooks.
black bean and wild rice soup from the little red house.
wild rice with roasted grapes and walnuts from epicurious.
sweet potato masala served over wild rice from delightful delicacies.
(i happen to know this is delicious)
