Canadian wild long rice (Zizania aquatica) is a nutritious whole grain that has recently skyrocketed in popularity! Grown in Canada, this wild long rice is the seed of an aquatic grass that’s grown in lakes and streams, and is believed to offer plenty of health benefits.
The nourishing wholegrain contains an impressive amount of nutrients such as protein, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc.
Despite its name, wild rice isn’t actually rice--it's an aquatic grass. It’s called rice because it looks and cooks like the other kinds of rice.
Wild rice tends to have a stronger taste — its flavour is tasty, nutty, and earthy. This special grain is black/brown in colour and has a chewy texture, and is a fantastic substitute for rice, pasta or potatoes.
Our organic Canadian wild long rice also goes exceptionally well with soups, creamy sauces, curries, and stews, but can be paired with practically any meal of your fancy!
Nutritional Profile
Wild rice is a nutrient-dense food due to its high nutrient and low-calorie content. It’s an impressive source of plant-based protein and a fantastic source of minerals.
It offers higher protein content than regular rice and other grains. A 100g serving of wild rice contains 4g of protein — this is double the amount of protein that’s contained in brown and white rice.
A 100g serving provides approximately 2g of fiber. This is similar to the amount of fiber contained in brown rice, which is 1.8g per 100g serving. White rice on the other hand contains very little fiber.
Wild rice also provides plenty of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and manganese. It also contains small amounts of potassium, iron, and selenium.
This nutrient-dense food also boasts a low-calorie content — a 100g serving of cooked wild rice contains only 101 calories. This is lower than both brown rice (112 calories) and white rice (130 calories) per 100g serving.
Potential Health Benefits
Due to its high nutrient content, wild rice is believed to provide numerous health benefits.
It’s rich in antioxidants
Wild rice is a fantastic source of antioxidants which is beneficial for your overall health. Studies have revealed that antioxidants may help to protect against aging and reduce the risk of many diseases such as cancer.
May benefit heart health
Research shows that a diet higher in whole grains, such as wild rice, is linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
Furthermore, studies have found that people who consumed the most whole grains had a 16 to 21% lower chance of heart disease compared with those who ate the least.
May lower the risk of type 2 diabetes
Consuming lots of whole grains, such as wild rice can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 20-30%.
This is due to the plant compounds, fiber and vitamins, and minerals contained in whole grains.
Numerous studies have revealed that consuming 2 servings of whole grains daily can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21%.
Furthermore, animal studies indicate that eating wild rice can improve blood sugar control.
Cooking Instructions
1.Rinse thoroughly.
2.Pour 6 cups of water into a saucepan and bring to a boil, and then add 1 cup of wild rice along with 1 tsp of salt.
3.Bring to the boil again and then reduce the heat to low.
4.Leave to simmer till the rice is tender — about 45 minutes.
Canadian Wild Long Rice FAQ
Q: What is wild rice?
A: Wild rice is the edible seeds — that look like rice — that’s produced by a species of grass. It tends to have a stronger taste than other types of rice.
Q: Is wild rice high in protein?
A: Wild rice is higher in protein than regular rice and other grains. A 100g serving of wild rice contains 4g of protein — this is twice the amount of protein contained in brown and white rice.
Q: Is wild rice low in calories?
A: Yes, this nutritious grain is lower in calories than both brown rice and white rice.
Q: Is it a good source of minerals?
A: Wild rice contains an impressive amount of minerals including magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc.
Q: Where in Canada is wild rice grown?
A: The majority is grown in marshlands and along waterways stretching from Manitoba to eastwards to the Atlantic Ocean.