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A perfect union. Beans and rice together create an ideal balance – a complete protein. There exist thousands of combinations of beans and rice around the globe. This simple dish serves as the sustenance for cultures on every continent.
Rice dishes such as the pilav of Turkey, Persia’s polou, the isotos and paellas of the Mediterranean, the jollofs of West Africa and India’s pilau have fed generations. Half the world’s population depends on rice as a daily staple.
The mythology surrounding rice dates back as far as the history of rice itself – more than 7,000 years. Rice is closely tied to the divine with the Rice Mother taking similar forms in many cultures across Asia.
Even as the mythology and the origins of rice are inextricably linked, the varieties of rice are seemingly infinite. Rice dishes can be found on every habited continent.
Basmati, or fragrant rice, grows best in the foothills of the Himalayas. A long grain rice, it’s not sticky and has a distinct fragrance and nutty flavor. Jasmine rice originates in Thailand and, while stickier than Basmati, is not considered a “sticky rice” like many Japanese varieties.
Carnaroli rice from Italy is primarily used in risotto. It’s a short, plump grain that has a creamy texture. Valencia rice originates in Spain, is slightly sticky, making it perfect for dishes such as paella.
In North America: Wild Pecan Rice is grown exclusively in Louisiana and mimics much of Basmati’s texture and flavor, with just a hint of pecan.
Rice research and development may be ancient, but not stagnant. The African Rice Center has created a new hybrid rice, combining the hardiness of African rice with the high-yield of Asian rice has resulted in New Rice for Africa. This new variety has resulted in record rice yields and reduced the need for African countries to import rice.
The history of beans dates back as far as that of rice, but domestication occurred on the other side of the world, in Southern Mexico and Peru. Discovered by early European explorers, beans were exported from the “new world” back to Europe.
At Café Yumm! we focus on a few beautifully simple beans and rice combinations drawing from the knowledge that has sustained global cultures for a millennia.
Organic Black Beans
Organic Red Beans
Edamame (Soy Beans)
Organic Brown Rice
Thai Jasmine Rice
Combined with our Yumm! sauce or our Black Toasted Sesame Dressing, the result is soul satisfying, deeply nourishing food.
