Jasmine rice is a type of rice with a delicately fragrant, floral aroma. In this article you will find out what nutritional values are in fragrant rice and what you should pay attention to when buying and preparing it.
Rice is a versatile grain that comes in many varieties and forms. Jasmine rice is a long-grain white rice that is best known for its fragrance. After cooking, it is slightly sticky, which makes jasmine rice nice to serve. We tell you what you should know about nutritional values, purchasing and preparation.
Jasmine rice: nutritional values of fragrant rice
The nutritional value of rice depends largely on the degree of processing: since jasmine rice is white, polished rice, it has less fiber than wholegrain rice, which is particularly healthy. On the other hand, jasmine rice also has a lower arsenic content, since this dangerous substance accumulates primarily in the rice husk.
The exact nutritional values of jasmine rice vary in detail because rice is a natural product. On average, however, jasmine rice has the following nutritional values per 100 grams (source):
Calories: 349 kcal
Fat: 0.6g
Carbohydrates: 77.7 g
Fiber: 1.4 g
Protein: 7.4 g
With a protein content of more than seven percent, jasmine rice is a good source of vegetable protein. In addition, the fragrant rice can score with healthy carbohydrates, since these are primarily long-chain carbohydrates. With around 1.4 grams, jasmine rice contains less fiber than whole grain rice, but can still be considered a good source of fiber. On top of that, long-grain rice also contains important minerals such as iron, potassium and zinc.
Jasmine rice: tips for purchasing and preparation
We recommend that you pay attention to the following points when buying jasmine rice:
With rice in organic quality you support more environmentally friendly agriculture, as chemical-synthetic pesticides are not used. A nature association seal from Demeter, Naturland or Bioland is best.
Jasmine rice usually comes from Thailand or other Asian countries and has therefore been transported long distances, which has a negative impact on the ecological footprint. However, some organic producers and shops also offer jasmine rice from Italy, for example Cosmoveda.
By paying attention to the Fairtrade seal, you support the local rice farmers: The seal guarantees fair payment and working conditions. This is particularly important for jasmine rice from Asia, where the working conditions in rice fields are sometimes problematic.
Tips for the kitchen:
Before preparation, wash jasmine rice thoroughly with plenty of water until the waste water runs clear.
Put two parts jasmine rice with three parts water in a saucepan (e.g. 200 grams or one cup of jasmine rice with 300 milliliters or one and a half cups of water) and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Then cover the pot and turn the heat down to the lowest setting. After about 15 minutes, the rice will have absorbed all the water and is ready to serve.
Alternatively, you can soak the jasmine rice for a few hours before cooking. You can find more information about this in our article “Washing or soaking rice – does that make sense?”.
Jasmine rice goes well with Asian and oriental dishes, especially as an accompaniment to curry recipes.
Since the cooked jasmine rice has a slightly sticky consistency, you can also shape it nicely.