Traditional rice of Sri Lanka facts for kids
Rice in Sri Lanka has been super important for the country for hundreds of years. Even today, rice is a main food in traditional Sri Lankan cuisine. It's not just a meal; it's a big part of their history and culture!
Contents
Rice Through Time
Ancient Beginnings
People in Sri Lanka might have started growing rice as far back as 800 B.C.! That's a really long time ago. We know this because of old records. Also, around 390 B.C., they started building huge water systems like irrigation channels, big reservoirs, and connected canals. These were all to help grow rice.
For a long time, growing rice wasn't just a job; it was a way of life for Sri Lankans. Some types of rice have been grown for many generations. These are called traditional, native, or heirloom rice varieties.
Sri Lanka was once known as the "granary of the east" because it grew so much rice. It had over 2000 native rice types! Growing rice was seen as a special and even sacred activity. The old ways of farming were also very sustainable, meaning they were good for the Earth and could be done for a long time.
New Kinds of Rice
By the 1980s, about 90% of the farmland in Sri Lanka was used to grow "semi-dwarf" rice. These were new, improved types.
Today, most of the rice (about 95%) grown in Sri Lanka are these newer, hybrid types. Farmers use non-organic fertilizer and pesticides to grow bigger harvests and keep costs down.
However, traditional rice is slowly becoming popular again. This is because more and more people around the world want to eat organic food.
Traditional Sri Lankan Rice
Suwandel Rice
Suwandel means "fragrant" in English, and it really is! This white rice has a wonderful smell.
It tastes a bit milky, so it's often used for special parties and events. Suwandel rice is mostly carbohydrates (90%), with some crude protein (7%) and a little fat and fiber. It also has more glutamic acid and vitamins than other common rice types.
Suwandel is an heirloom rice. This means it's an old variety passed down through families. It's grown naturally using traditional rain-fed methods in the southern lowlands of Sri Lanka. Because of this, it grows faster than some other rice types, usually ready to harvest in about 3 months. Growing heirloom rice in Sri Lanka is seen as a very special process.
Kalu Heenati Rice
The name Kalu Heenati means "dark, fine grain." This is a very healthy red rice that's good for eating every day. It's also believed to have many health benefits. It's especially good for new mothers and can help make you feel stronger.
Maa-Wee Rice
Maa-Wee is a reddish-brown rice with a unique feel when you eat it. It has fewer carbohydrates but lots of protein and fiber. Studies show that Maa-Wee rice has a lower glycemic index (GI) than other common rice types. This means it doesn't make your blood sugar go up as quickly. It's made of about 84.5% carbohydrates, 9.4% protein, 3.6% fat, and 1.1% fiber.
It's best to soak Maa-Wee rice before you cook it. One traditional dish uses this rice cooked with chopped spring onion and leeks. It's served with bottle gourd cooked with spices and coconut milk.
Queens in Sri Lanka loved Maa-Wee rice because they believed it helped them stay slim and fit.
Maa-Wee is also important in religious ceremonies. Old stories say that Maa-Wee rice has been placed in special boxes with sacred relics and at the very top of dagabas (Buddhist dome-shaped buildings).
Pachchaperumal Rice
"Pachchaperumal" means "The Lord Buddha’s color." This is a healthy red rice. When you cook it, it turns a deep, rich burgundy color. It's full of nutrients and protein, making it a great choice for daily meals. People also say it's good for those with diabetes and heart problems.
Pachchaperumal has long been seen as a divine rice in traditional Sinhalese culture. It was often used in alms-giving, which is when people give food to monks or those in need.
Kuruluthuda Rice
Kuruluthuda is another healthy red rice. It has lots of protein and fiber and a special, pleasant taste.
Other Varieties
Some other traditional rice types include Rathdel, Madathawalu, and Hetadha Wee.
The Future of Rice
Rice is considered sacred by people of different faiths in Sri Lanka, including Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims. It's said that rice cooked with coconut milk was the first offering given to Buddha. Even today, this dish is a main part of Sri Lankan Buddhist culture during special festivals and important events.
