Wild rice facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wild Rice |
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Wild rice is a type of grass that grows in water. It's also known as Canada rice, Indian rice, or water oats. There are four main types, or species, of wild rice plants, all belonging to the group called Zizania. People can harvest the seeds from these plants, which are a tasty grain.
Long ago, people in North America and China gathered and ate wild rice. Today, it's a special food in North America. In China, people don't usually eat the grain anymore. Instead, they use the plant's stem as a vegetable.
Contents
What is Wild Rice?
Wild rice isn't actually rice, even though it has "rice" in its name! It's a type of grass that grows in shallow water, like lakes and slow-moving rivers. The part we eat is the seed, which looks a lot like rice.
Where Does Wild Rice Grow?
Most wild rice plants grow naturally in North America. You can find them in places like the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. One type also grows in Asia. These plants love wet, marshy areas.
Different Kinds of Wild Rice
There are four main types of wild rice:
- Zizania aquatica: This is often called annual wild rice. It grows in the eastern parts of North America.
- Zizania palustris: This is the most common type harvested in North America. It grows in the northern parts of the continent.
- Zizania texana: This type is very rare and only grows in a small area of Texas. It's an endangered species.
- Zizania latifolia: This is the Asian type of wild rice. It's grown in China, where its stems are eaten as a vegetable.
How is Wild Rice Harvested?
For hundreds of years, Native American tribes in North America have harvested wild rice. They often use traditional methods.
Traditional Harvesting Methods
Harvesters usually go out in canoes. They use two special sticks, often made of cedar. One stick is used to bend the rice stalks over the canoe. The other stick gently taps the seeds off the plant. The ripe seeds fall into the bottom of the canoe. This method allows some seeds to fall back into the water, helping new plants grow next year.
Processing the Grain
After harvesting, the wild rice seeds need to be processed. This usually involves drying them and removing the outer husks. The seeds are then ready to be cooked and eaten.
Wild Rice as Food
Wild rice has a unique, nutty flavor and a chewy texture. It's a healthy grain, full of nutrients.
Cooking Wild Rice
You can cook wild rice like other grains. It's often boiled or steamed. It takes longer to cook than white rice, usually about 45 minutes to an hour. Cooked wild rice can be used in many dishes.
How People Eat Wild Rice
- Side Dish: It's often served as a healthy side dish with meals.
- Soups and Salads: Wild rice adds a great texture and flavor to soups and salads.
- Stuffing: It's a popular ingredient in stuffing for poultry.
- Breakfast: Some people even eat it for breakfast, like oatmeal.
Images for kids
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Harvesting wild rice
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Ojibwa wild rice pouch, cedar bark, American Museum of Natural History
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Wild rice stems before and after peeling
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Cooked wild rice
See also
In Spanish: Zizania para niños
