September 17, 2021
Spanish rice can also be referred to as “Mexican rice” or “red rice.” Nonetheless, throughout this blog post, you will indulge yourself with the history, production, and sustainability of this well-known dish.
How is rice grown and produced?
In the US, the cultivation of rice is extremely different from other grains. This is due to rice being a semi-aquatic plant which requires consistent irrigation. The planting of rice usually begins around late February through May depending on the production region. Airplanes or grain drills are used to plant the seeds. When the rice plants have reached about three or four feet tall (which usually takes about 120 days), the rice fields are then irrigated. Around Mid-July through November, the rice is harvested when it is mature. Afterwards, the harvested grains are sent to drying facilities in order to reduce the moisture content of the grains for future storage. The final step of rice production is milling. When sent to the mill, the harvested rice is sent through sheller machines that remove their inedible hulls. This process involves removing the bran layer of the rice, leaving a white whole kernel. Additionally, a thin coating of vitamins is added to the rice grains in order to replace some of the nutrients that were lost during milling.
Is this method sustainable?
Although the production of rice is questionable due to the significant amount of water needed to cultivate it, rice production in the US is becoming sustainable. The US rice industry is invested in working towards a sustainable future. In the past 36 years, 52% of water use, 34% of energy use, 41% of greenhouse gas emissions and 28% of soil loss has decreased according to the industry’s Sustainability Report and 2030 Sustainability Goals. Additionally, land use efficiency has increased by 39%. Some arguments may include the water footprint and environmental impact of rice producers. However, the flooding of fields that takes place during rice cultivation prevents soil erosion, leads to improved water quality and other environmental benefits such as habitat creation. Many species rely on the wetland habitats created by rice farmers in the US. Therefore, rice production in the US is an industry headed towards sustainability.
The image depicted expresses a significant example of one of the benefits of rice production in America.
USA Rice. (2018). U.S. Rice Sustainability Report. Retrieved from https://www.usarice.com/sustainability/sustainability-report.
Where is rice produced and consumed?
The top countries that produce rice according to the USDA, includes China, India, and Indonesia with India being the largest global rice producer since 2012. However, the countries previously mentioned only make up 3.5% of the rice imports into the United States. Therefore, the US produces rice in four regions; the Arkansas Grand Prairie, Mississippi Delta(which includes parts of Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and Louisiana), Gulf Coast(Southwest Louisiana and Texas), and Sacramento Valley of California. Half of America’s rice production is consumed in the US, while the other half is exported to over 120 countries around the world.
The image above demonstrates the locations and percentages of the rice production taking place in the U.S.
Producers rice mill, inc. (2021). Rice Information. Retrieved from http://prodriceold.aristotle.net/rice-i information.
What is the history behind Spanish Rice?
Ironically, Spanish rice does not actually originate from Spain. In fact, Spanish rice is only called “Spanish rice” in the United States. There is not much history of Spanish Rice as rice is not native in the Americas. During the Spanish conquest of the Americas in the late 1400s, the Spaniards began to import many animals, including pigs, chickens, and cattle. Additionally, after the Spaniards traveled to Asia, they began to import wheat and rice to the Americas. Since the Spanish introduced rice to the natives, it is believed that this is the reasoning behind the term “Spanish rice.” Although this blog is focused on “Spanish rice,” which is heavily stemmed from Northern Mexico, in contrast, white rice is quite common in Southern parts of Mexico.
Spanish Rice recipe:
Although there are many different rice recipes that are eaten worldwide, I will be focusing on a rice recipe that I am most familiar and infatuated with. Due to my cultural background and Mexican heritage, I will be sharing a Spanish rice recipe.
Keep in mind that Spanish rice is extremely versatile and open ended. Four common ingredients for Spanish rice include white rice, onions, tomatoes, and garlic. However, many ingredient substitutes are possible and often used.
Below is a list of the primary ingredients my family uses and a list of additional ingredients that can be added or substituted to the primary ingredients listed.
Primary ingredients:
- 1 cup-White Rice
- 6 oz-Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups-Chicken Broth
- 1 tsp-minced Garlic
- 1 tsp-Comino
- 2 tbsp-Vegetable Oil
Additional ingredients:
- ¼ sliced-Bell pepper
- ½ small sliced Onion
- 2 cups-Water (substitute for chicken broth)
- 1 Fresh Tomato
Step 1:
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. After you have heated up your oil, add rice. Cook rice for several minutes while stirring constantly until the rice turns a golden color.
Step 2:
Reduce the heat to low and gently pour warm water or chicken broth into the pan, along with the tomato sauce and stir. Stir in the minced garlic and comino. You may now add the bell pepper, sliced onion, and fresh tomato at this time if you’d like.
Step 3:
Cover the pan and let the rice simmer until the liquid has evaporated. Do not stir or uncover the pan at any moment. Let the rice sit for about 8 minutes before serving and enjoy.
Blog post by Katelyn Perez
Bibliography
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Columbia Climate School Climate, Earth, and Society. (March 21, 2012). What’s in your Rice? A Look at Where Rice in the U.S. Comes From. Retrieved from https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2012/03/21/what%E2%80%99s-in-your-rice-a-look-at-where-rice-in-t he-u-s-comes-from/.
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Producers rice mill, inc. (2021). Rice Information. Retrieved from http://prodriceold.aristotle.net/rice-i information.
Skaggs, S. (February 4, 2021). Easy Spanish Rice. Five heart Home. Retrieved from https://www.fivehearthome.com/easy-spanish-rice/.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. (June 3, 2020). Rice. Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/rice/.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. (February 10, 2021). Rice Sector at a Glance. Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/rice/rice-sector-at-a-glance/.
USA Rice. (2018). U.S. Rice Sustainability Report. Retrieved from https://www.usarice.com/sustainability/sustainability-report.
Wikipedia. (September 7, 2021). Spanish Rice. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_rice.
Wikipedia. (September 11, 2021). Spanish colonization of the Americas. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_colonization_of_the_Americas.