BACK TO LIST
GLOSSARY
Japonica rice/Indica rice/Glutinous rice
Rice and wheat are the principal cereals in the world at this time and about 90% of the world production of rice comes from Asian countries. The total production in 1968 amounted to 284 million tons of unhulled rice, of which Japan produced 18.8 million tons, a quantity exceeding domestic consumption. There are two main classifications of rice: Oryza sativa japonica and O.sativa indica. The japonica type has a higher yield and is more responsive to fertilizers; the grain is short and round. Indica varieties are taller,strongly resistant to disease and pests but relatively low in yield; the grain is relatively long. Japonica varieties are grown in Japan and surrounding areas, including northern China, also in Egypt, the United State and parts of Europe. Indicas are grown in southeast Asia from India to the central area of China. In recent years, indicas and japonicas and different varieties of each have been crossed in an attempt to eliminate or minimize their individual disadvantages and these efforts have met with some degree of success in certain areas.
The endosperm remaining after rice is hulled is composed of starch and some protein; the aminoacid content is thought to be similar to that of other cereals. However, the milling process, which removes the bran and germ,eliminates many of the nutrients present in whole rice. In Japan, rice bran is used as feed for livestock and the oil extracted from it is used by the oil and soap industries. Rice straw has provided the material for building,packing and other domestic needs. About 95% Of the non-glutinous rice harvested in Japan is used as staple food; the remainder is used for brewing various kinds of sake, for vinegar, miso, shoyu and other processed foods.
Glutinous rice, which differs in amino-acid content from non-glutinous rice, is important in the preparation of Japanese confectionery such as senbei (rice crackers) and mochi (rice cake).
Suitable temperature for germination : 30`35 Celsius (Min. 10- 12 Celsius; Max. 40 Celsius)