Our farm relies on customers who support our farming methods and our quality products. Environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable agriculture are critical to our farm. Rice varieties may be identical, but it is in the milling that brown rice is processed to white rice. Milling removes the outer hull, bran, germ, and endosperm from the rice grain. While milling increases the cooking convenience of rice making it a 20 minute process rather than 40, the trade-off for this convenience is a dramatic drop in nutrients.
Bran contains several nutrients of major importance, two of which are fiber and essential oils.
Fiber is not only filling, but has a probable role in the prevention of major diseases in this country such as certain gastrointestinal diseases and heart disease. The National Cancer Institute recommends 25 grams of fiber a day. Also, components of the oils present in rice bran have been shown in numerous studies to decrease serum cholesterol, a major risk factor in heart disease. In addition, it has been shown that a diet rich in fats and protein versus a diet rich in carbohydrate tends to contribute to weight gain. We are much better off to eat a well balanced diet, low in fat and rich in complex carbohydrates.