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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I soak the rice before cook? How long should I soak it?

When rice is being cooked, rice grain absorbs water and heat from cooking softens the starch in rice grain. During soaking, the absorption of water by rice grains shorten the cooking time. By soaking the rice for 30 minutes, the cooking time of most varieties of rice can be reduced about 20 percent. Besides, soaking can reduce the phytic acid content of foods.

How to store the rice to reduce weevils?

There are some tips to store uncooked rice properly to reduce weevils. Store the opened rice in a tightly sealed container and in a cool dry place. Purchase rice in smaller packing size if your consumption rate is low. Only open the rice packaging when you need to, then consume the opened pack of rice within one month. After finishing the rice in the filled container, rinse and dry the container before re-filling with a new pack of rice. Check your stock regularly to ensure that weevils are not present.

Is Brown Rice consisting of Arsenic and no good for health?
Arsenic is a chemical element naturally found in our natural environment like rocks, soil, or dissolved in water and can be present in the foods and beverages. Arsenic is present in certain foods, including rice. ecoBrown’s rice and rice products are subject to regular testing to ensure it meets all Malaysian and relevant International health and safety standards, including those for Arsenic levels.
How long does it take for the paddy to mature?
Generally, the maturation period of the paddy plant varies according to the variety and also the climatic conditions. Under hot weather surroundings and dry paddy field, paddy will mature faster. The ideal harvest time lies between 130 and 136 days after sowing for late, 113 and 125 for medium, and 110 days for early-maturing varieties.
Can baby consume brown rice?
In general brown rice can be introduced to infants at 6 months of age as part of complementary feeding. Parents must prepare the brown rice as brown rice porridge and prepare it in the right consistency for baby. Consider blending the brown rice porridge to desire texture and consistency. Please start with small amounts and increase gradually. Brown rice provides vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, plant lipids and phyto-nutrients such as Inositol, Oryzanol, and Phytosterols and is therefore a healthier choice.
Is ecoBrown’s Beverage good for diet?
Yes, drinking ecoBrown’s beverages good for people trying to lose weight. Most of ecoBrown’s beverage have higher amount of dietary fibre thanks to its main wholegrain rice ingredients (brown rice, red rice and black rice). The presence of wholegrain rice will help you to feel fuller for a longer time while taking in fewer calories. In addition, ecoBrown’s beverage also have good source of B vitamins that plays important role in conversion of energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats which will help preventing dieting people from feeling tired and worn out.
Yes, ecoBrown’s beverage is suitable for diabetic patients to drink. This is due to the fact that all ecoBrown’s beverage are made from mixed wholegrain rice (brown rice, red rice and black rice). According to studies published in online journal National Library of Medicine and Archives of Internal Medicine, consumption of wholegrain rice such as brown rice has shown to have significant effect in lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.
For diabetic patients, we highly recommend our Vita Original with No Sugar Added and Chocolate Wholegrain Rice Drink with Low Sugar as both of these products have low total sugars content and are formulated specially for people with health issue such as diabetes.
Is basmathi rice suitable for diabetics? Basmati rice or Brown rice lower GI?

Basmathi rice has more intact starch amylose structure which slower the digestive process once consumed, resulting in releases its energy slowly keeping blood sugar levels more stable. Steaming helps to better maintain the structure so steamed basmati rice generally has a lower GI value. Basmathi rice comes in two variety- brown (unpolished) and white (polished). While both white and brown version of basmati rice provide important nutrients, brown basmathi rice contains higher dietary fibre content, B vitamins and minerals. A higher intake of dietary fibre can help to lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Brown rice has high nutritional profile. It has good source of dietary fibre, antioxidants, and several vitamins and minerals. Thanks to its high dietary fibre content, brown rice has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugar level after the meal intake. Besides, brown rice is higher in magnesium content which has also been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

When comparing basmathi rice and brown rice on the glycemic index scale, we find that they are very similar. Basmati rice, brown rice and wild rice have GI values in the medium range. They have a GI of 56 to 69. Brown basmati rice also called wholegrain basmati rice seems to be the most ideal rice variety for good diabetes management.

What do you do with the rice husks?
Rice husk is a by-product of rice milling. Because of escalating energy prices, it is now used as fuel in boilers to generate heat and electricity for use in the rice mills. Burnt husks have several uses. It can be used to coat salted eggs, as an ingredient in making organic fertilizer (due to its high potash and other minerals content). Rice mill without boilers will generally sell their husks to mills that have a boiler.
Does the rice still contain moisture after the drying process?
Yes, it does. Approximately 10%-12% of moisture is retained. However, the equilibrium moisture of rice is 14%. If the rice is under dried (>14%), it will lose its moisture to the atmosphere, encourage development of moulds, and increase the infestation from pests, Rice can be broken easily during milling if it contains less than 10% of moisture.
How long is the drying process?
The normal drying process takes about 24 hours, which is dependant on the initial moisture content (wetness) of the incoming paddy. If the moisture content is more than 25%, it will take about 24-26 hours to dry the paddy grains to the safe moisture content (about 10-12%) for long term storage. In the dry season, paddies that are harvested contain only about 20% moisture or lower. Therefore, the drying time will only take around 18 hours.
How long does it take for the paddy to mature?
Generally, the maturation period of the paddy plant varies according to the variety and also the climatic conditions. Under hot weather surroundings and dry paddy field, paddy will mature faster. The ideal harvest time lies between 130 and 136 days after sowing for late, 113 and 125 for medium, and 110 days for early-maturing varieties.
Does fragrant rice contain artificial essence?
Fragrant rice is made from the fragrant rice variety called Khaw Hom Mali grown in Thailand. This variety produces an aromatic chemical similar to that produced in pandan leaves called acetyl-1-pyroline. This fragrance is naturally produced by the rice plant and enhanced by the soil and cold night temperature where the fragrant rice varieties are grown in North East of Thailand. Our fragrant rice is imported from Thailand without any tempering of the natural fragrance with artificial essence.