Old State Fragrant Rice

Old State Fragrant Rice

　　Fragrant rice, also known as aromatic rice or scented rice, has been cultivated since the Western Han Dynasty. It is a type of rice that emits a natural fragrance while growing in the fields, with the scent becoming especially strong during the heading and flowering stages. The milled fragrant rice is snow-white and plump, and when cooked, it fills the air with a rich aroma. The mystery behind its “strong fragrance” was unraveled after five years of research by the Hunan Institute of Soil and Fertilizer and the Hunan Institute of Geology, which revealed that besides the rice variety itself, the unique soil and groundwater in the production area—rich in trace elements such as zinc, manganese, lanthanum, titanium, vanadium, cobalt, and strontium—are the key factors. These conditions cannot be replicated elsewhere.

　　Nutritional Analysis of Fragrant Rice:

　　1. Rice is highly nutritious and serves as a foundational food for replenishing essential nutrients;

　　2. Rice porridge helps invigorate the spleen, harmonize the stomach, and clear the lungs.

　　Suitable People for Fragrant Rice:

　　Generally suitable for all people

　　1. Suitable for individuals with physical weakness, high fever, those recovering from long-term illness, postpartum women, the elderly, infants and young children with weak digestion—best consumed as thin porridge for nourishment;

　　2. Not recommended for excessive consumption by diabetics.

　　Therapeutic Effects of Fragrant Rice: Rice is neutral in nature and sweet in flavor; it helps tonify the middle burner and replenish qi, strengthen the spleen and stomach, enrich essence and improve vitality, harmonize the internal organs, improve blood circulation, benefit ears and eyesight, relieve irritability, quench thirst, and alleviate diarrhea. It is hailed as a “treasure among grains.”

　　Food Incompatibilities of Fragrant Rice: Tang • Meng Shen: “Do not eat polished rice with horse meat, as it may cause tumor-like diseases. Do not eat it with cocklebur, as it may lead to sudden heart pain.” Qing • Wang Meng Ying: “Although fried rice is fragrant, its dry nature may fuel internal heat—those suffering from cold in the middle burner or diarrhea should avoid it.”

　　Cooking Tips for Fragrant Rice: Cooking rice into porridge makes it easier to digest and absorb. However, never add alkali when making rice porridge, as rice is an important source of vitamin B1 for the human body. Alkali can destroy the vitamin B1 in rice, leading to a deficiency and resulting in “beriberi.”