Matta rice facts for kids
RoseMatta rice (also known as Palakkadan Matta rice or Kerala Matta rice) is a special kind of rice grown in the Palakkad area of Kerala, India. It's famous for its unique texture and many health benefits.
This rice is very popular in Kerala and parts of Karnataka in India, and also in Sri Lanka. People use it every day to make dishes like idlies, appams, and as plain rice. It's different from regular brown rice. RoseMatta rice has a strong, earthy taste that goes well with different meats.
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History of RoseMatta Rice
Palakkadan Matta rice was a favorite of the ancient Chola and Chera royal families in India. This shows how important and special this rice has been for a long time.
Kerala Matta rice has always been popular because of its rich and unique flavor. It's used to make traditional snacks like Kondattam and Murukku. This rice is even mentioned in old Tamil writings, showing its long history. In the time of the Chera and Chola kingdoms, this rice was seen as a special food for kings.
Where RoseMatta Rice Grows
Kerala Matta rice is grown in the southern Indian states of Kerala and Karnataka. Farmers who grow Matta rice get a good price for their crop. There was once a temporary ban on sending this rice to other countries, but now some can be exported.
Palakkadan Matta rice grows in a special kind of dark, rich soil found in the Palakkad district of Kerala. This soil is called 'poonthalpadam' and has a lot of clay and silt, which helps it hold a lot of water. This unique soil gives the rice its distinct earthy flavor.
What Makes RoseMatta Rice Special?
The grains of RoseMatta rice are yellowish-pink with reddish outer layers because they are partly cooked before packaging. This process is called parboiling. Even after cooking, RoseMatta rice keeps its pink color and its special flavor. Like other parboiled or brown rice, it takes longer to cook and needs more water than white rice.
Unique Qualities
Palakkadan Matta rice is officially recognized under a special law called the Geographical Indications Act. This means it's known for coming from a specific place and having unique qualities. It's a coarse rice with bold grains and a red outer layer.
This rice has a unique taste. Its coarse texture and red outer layer naturally contain many nutrients. The parboiling process helps the rice keep even more of its healthy goodness. The rice grows in special black soil, rich in lime, and in areas called Poonthalpadam, where the soil is heavy and holds water well. The humid weather, easterly winds, and rivers from the Western Ghats in Palakkad also help make this rice unique.
How to Cook RoseMatta Rice
Parboiled rice is harder than white rice, so it needs to soak in water for about 30 minutes to a few hours before cooking. Some people even soak it overnight.
Traditionally, Matta rice is cooked in two steps:
- First, wash the rice well and let it soak.
- Then, drain the rice and simmer it with 4 to 8 parts water for about 30 minutes.
- Cover the pot and let it sit for 15–20 minutes.
- After that, add salt and boil it again for another 15–20 minutes, or until it's fully cooked.
- Finally, drain the extra water and let the rice sit covered for 10–15 minutes before serving.
A simpler way is to boil water, add the rice, cook for about 25 minutes until done, and then drain the leftover water.
Health Benefits of RoseMatta Rice
Palakkadan Matta rice is healthier than white polished rice. This is because the parboiling process helps it keep more nutrients before it's milled (processed).
For example, a quarter cup of cooked Matta rice can have about 160 calories and 1 gram of fiber. White rice usually has no fiber. The brown outer layer of Matta rice contains many important nutrients, but this valuable layer is removed when white rice is polished. One cup of Matta rice can also provide about 84 milligrams of magnesium and one gram of calcium. It also contains various vitamins.
Modern Ways to Get RoseMatta Rice
Some farmers are now using technology to send Matta rice directly from their farms to customers. One farming family in Palakkad even created a smartphone app. This app lets customers order personalized Matta rice, allowing them to choose how much of the healthy outer layer (bran) they want in their rice.
Important Note About Quality
Sometimes, Matta rice is artificially colored, which can be harmful to your health. There have been concerns that this kind of rice is sometimes given out through government food programs that help people in need. It's important to make sure you get good quality, natural Matta rice.
See also
In Spanish: Arroz matta para niños
Images for kids
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Matta rice (cooked)
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Red rice porridge
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Parboiled rice
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Kerala Matta rice (also called Palakkadan Matta rice)
