DATE: Wednesday, August 6, 1997             TAG: 9708040315

SECTION: FLAVOR                  PAGE: F5   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: TRY THIS

SOURCE: BY BETTY DOUGLASS, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   46 lines

AROMATIC VARIETIES OF RICE HAVE NUTTY AROMA AND FLAVOR

MORE and more types of rice are appearing in supermarkets and specialty shops. Among the choices are boxes marked ``aromatic'' rice. Aromatic rice is a term given to varieties of rice that are identified by a nutty aroma and flavor.

Some popular types of aromatic rices include basmati, texmati and jasmine.

Basmati rice is grown mostly in India and Pakistan and is known for its slender shape that elongates rather than expanding in width when it is cooked.

``The word basmati means `queen of fragrance,' and the rice is distinguished by its aroma,'' says Marie Simmons in ``Rice the Amazing Grain'' (Herny Holt and Co., 1991). She also says, ``Although the Indian people eat rice at least once a day, basmati rice is a high-quality luxury food eaten only on special occasions.''

Texmati rice is also called American basmati. It is a hybrid of aromatic rice and regular long-grain varieties. Texmati rice has a light texture and nutty flavor and aroma. It is delicious in pilafs and other Indian dishes, and it is available as a white or brown rice.

Jasmine Rice is a naturally fragrant strain of long-grain white rice widely available in Asian markets and some local supermarkets. Its scent is subtle, somewhere between toasty and nutty, and it's wonderful for everyday cooking as well as for Asian cuisines. Jasmine rice is now being grown very successfully in the United States.

Other aromatic rices available in local markets include Konriko Wild Pecan Rice and Uncle Ben's Aromatica popcorn rice. You may find Wehani rice, a brown rice with an aromatic flavor related to basmati.

Availability: Look for these speciality rices in most area supermarkets and speciality stores or in Asian markets.

Storage: Store rice in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It will keep indefinitely. MEMO: Betty Douglass is a free-lance food writer and home economist in

Portsmouth. All recipes in this article have been kitchen-tested by the

author. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

FILE

Look for aromatic rices in most supermarkets, as well as in

specialty stores and Asian markets.

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