My mum gave me some dark rice once which was kinda odd but quite good. J. Charitha Ratwatte lives nearby and she’d gotten this ‘heirloom’ variety from his company, Rural Returns. They’re helping Sri Lankan farmers grow higher value strains and market them here and abroad, which is a good idea. They’re now starting a local brand, Ayu Rice, which should be available at Keells soon.
‘Organic’ food is a growing market in the west. There are moves towards locally grown food, ethically grown food, and generally food that isn’t bad for you or the environment. It’ll take ages for Sri Lanka to compete with commodity rice (I don’t think we really can), but small farmers can produce specialty rice if A) they knew how and B) they could market it abroad.
Hence, Rural Returns. Charitha founded this company to both assist in the production and marketing of specialty rice, enabling more farmers to make a better, more secure living. It’s a great idea, and it’s pretty good rice as well.
If you’re in the US you can buy the rice at ELF Buyers Club in Santa Monica or via BeONLiving online. In Sri Lanka it will be available at Keells supermarkets I think next month.
They’ll be launching the Ayu Rice brand at the BMICH grounds on August 26-28th, 10am to 8pm. They’ll be in Stall 24 in the AgBiz section, where I think you can get discounted samples.
Cool! :D There are certain variates of rice with ayurvedic properties and stuff, I think suwandel is one of the best ones?
Chavie, Suwandel is one of the tastiest, and also has a lower Glycemic Index than Basmati rice. It used to be reserved for the Royal Family in days of yore, it was considered that tasty and aromatic!
Glycemic Index – Has any research proven a relationship btw diabetics and high Glycemic Index? Also what are the other rice types with lowest Glycemic Index?