Brown rice is the top current trendy food that’s included in every healthy food enthusiast’s diet since it is incredibly healthy and has a great variety of nutrients and balanced stats in that regard. And to top it off, you don’t even need to compromise the joy of eating a delicious meal, because it doesn’t fail in that aspect too. This is why brown rice is all the rage right now, as it can satisfy the majority of people with its’ combo.
Even though it is highly accessible to everyone thanks to its’ affordability, there are still differences in prices and quality between different competitors. That is what inspired us to make this guide, so you’ll be informed about the various brands out there, thus making an educated choice when shopping. We’ve compiled a list of the best products on the market right now alongside their advantages and inconveniences, that’ll largely narrow your list of possible picks, so grab a Coffee Mug and keep on reading!
Brown Rice Brand Review Center 2021
Image | Brown Rice Brand | Rating |
---|---|---|
#1 - Lundberg Family Farms Japonica Field Blend Rice | 99% | |
#2 - Royal Brown Basmati Rice, 10 Pound | 96% | |
#3 - Planet Rice Sprouted Brown Gaba Rice | 92% | |
#4 - Nishiki Premium Brown Rice | 89% | |
#5 - Dynasty Jasmine Brown Rice | 85% |
Want to learn more?
Now that you’ve seen our top 5 recommendations, we’ll give you more detail on each of them, including why we liked them. When you’re ready, click the yellow button to get the best price on Amazon!
#1 – Lundberg Family Farms Japonica Field Blend Rice
This brand is offering a unique product that is satisfying both in quality and price, having a nice balance between these two variables. Given the multitude of competing products that are quite similar in content, it manages to stand out as a solid deal that helps you not to compromise on aspect over the other.
Lundberg Family Farms is a brand with a really big legacy in this particular field, as they were around for so long that when they started, most crops, including rice, were produced organically. And they are sticking with their roots because they are holding on to making an entirely organic product by default, thus making sure that not only the flavor is of top-quality, but also the health benefits.
Alongside the organic product certification, the brand uses System of Rice Intensification Practices, a method employed in growing the crops that limit its’ carbon footprint and cuts by a big amount the aquatic resources it consumes. Additionally, the non-GMO project certifies it too.
An additional often omitted yet important aspect of this product is the eye-catching packaging, which conveys the sense of quality and authenticity through its’ natural feel that you sense immediately when you observe it. And surely, it lives up to the company’s reputation. Furthermore, it is of the sticky rice variety, something you might enjoy if you need it to hold a certain from consistently. In addition to the possibility that you prefer your rice soft and sticky, a need it can totally satisfy.
What we like about it
Overall, the highly reasonable price to quality ratio, alongside the excellent flavor and packaging, and the texture that adds high versatility, make for an outstanding product that is also organic as a big bonus. The only downside is that it isn’t suitable for vegans or kosher, and lacks in some features of long-grain rice.
#2 – Royal Brown Basmati Rice, 10 Pound
Already being one of the lowest foods in terms of prices, Royal certainly confirms that fact by providing an outstanding product for its’ price range, outshining other competing brands in terms of quality. Furthermore, they manage to keep the value of their rice in the market from fluctuating consistently, which comes in their favor as they guarantee the satisfaction of their clients.
It comes in a ten-pound package, belongs to the Top 11 Allergen Free category, and is also non-GMO, which is a big plus especially for many who are have concerns about this issue. Moreover, it is also an Indian grown product, thus reassuring a lot of people about this other concern.
Royal clearly prioritizes the quality of its product, on which they insist on the description on the packaging, referring to “From the Foothills of the Himalayas.” It includes the avoidance of artificial ingredients, chemicals, GMO, preservatives, and trans fats, Just like “mother nature” has conceived things. This is the reason conscious customers respect this particular brand.
Allergens, which are a big no-no for some consumers fearing dire repercussions, is also something Royal thought about and they have ensured their absence from the rice. These include a broad spectrum of allergens which is most of them, notably the common ones like dairy, gluten, peanut, etc.
Yet another great feature this particular rice brand offers is the low carbs per serving it has, a big consideration among food and diet enthusiasts. It is known that rice is often used to achieve the opposite in many cases, which is providing energy through carbohydrates. However, this suits the other category for being relatively low-carb. The value is bolstered even further considering that the quantity offered for the price is quite generous.
What we like about it
All in all, Royal Brown Basmati Rice is recommended thanks to its’ fair price, size of the package, and the health benefits it provides, even though it lacks those of short grain rice obviously. It is, however, a bit health-oriented for specific cases such as allergens concern or low-carb diets. So, it carves a niche for itself while satisfying these particular needs.
#3 – Planet Rice Sprouted Brown Gaba Rice
Nootropics are highly in demand nowadays, and GABA is one of the most notable of them. Its’ benefits include reducing anxiety, boosting the quality and duration of sleep, and improving cardiovascular health, while also a wonderful calmer. Thus, having rice that includes it is a perfect combo! Of course, in addition to many of the features other rice products have. Planet Rice offers gluten-free, whole-grain, GABA infused rice.
GABA is a crucial ingredient of many nootropics. However, its inclusion, in this case, does result in an increase in the price. Being a beneficial element though, many might be willing to commit to this compromise, if even for the simple convenience of abandoning pills that are deemed unnecessary when you can replace them with a bag of delicious rice for the same effects.
The health traits of this particular rice can not only benefit you but also your whole family, especially if you’ve got children. Plus that tastes equally as good on the second day, and it can be preserved for a long while, mostly thanks to its’ zip-lock style packaging, which is highly convenient for people who are busy working or studying.
What we like about it
In conclusion, Planet Rice is a wonderful product for GABA veterans who are looking for a practical way to consume it, while also being appealing for health enthusiasts alike and having a surprising shelf-life. The only downside is the higher-than-average price, which is for you to consider against the benefits it provides.
#4 – Nishiki Premium Brown Rice
Nishiki’s well-known authenticity is seldom matched by competing brands. In particular, it is manifested through the premium brown rice they make, that has an outstanding quantity to price ratio. Thus, bulk buying is a very profitable investment with the 15-pound bags they offer, as it can be enough for weeks on end. As a bonus, it provides a distinctive cultural flavor.
It is denoted with “premium” on the package, indicating the high quality of the product. Additionally, it is of the sticky malleable variant, thus being perfect for sushi especially. On the other hand, this limits its’ versatility a bit. But you’re opting for that specific usage anyways, then look no further than this rice. Furthermore, it provides a unique recipe that, if followed specifically, will yield a nice result.
The packaging is highly eye-catching and embellished with Asian connotations. This will be delightful particularly if you’re into that vibe, as it conveys it rather reliably.
Nikiski’s Premium Brown Rice is the perfect pick for sticky rice, so if you’re into making sushi from a Japanese Cookbook, you can’t go wrong with their product. It provides the texture and composition that are the ideal fit for that need. All of this in addition to the high quality and the affordable price alongside a large quantity per bag. On the other hand, it might not be perfectly suitable for people not having this specific need.
#5 – Dynasty Jasmine Brown Rice
Jasmine rice is a recently widespread phenomenon; rising is popularity in the last few decades as it spread through various regions worldwide. And Dynasty Jasmine brown rice has its’ unique twist on this traditional grain.
Being of “top quality,” according to the bran itself, while also being a delightful combo of jasmine and brown rice which gives it a unique niche in the market. Moreover, it is a highly versatile product, when it comes to utilizing it in cooking. It stems from the fact that you can alter the water-to-rice ratio in order to affect its’ texture. Whether you want to have it grainy and dry by reducing it, or a stickier variety by increasing it, it works equally great in both cases.
The packaging is the only shortcoming of this product, as it is not very attractive, but rather boring. If you didn’t know its’ beneficial facts, you wouldn’t really approach it. It is recommended if only for its’ versatility and quality.
Best Brown Rice Brand Buying Guide:
Now that you’ve seen our top 5 picks and reviews, we’re going to go into the several deciding factors when differentiating between brown rice brands.
The Difference Between Brown and White Rice Varieties
What differentiates brown rice from white rice might not be clear to some of you. To simply clarify it, the brown variety is the raw version that only the inedible husk was removed from. It is the healthiest type of rice with many additional nutritional benefits over white rice. This is because the latter went through further refinement processes that result in removing the mill and germ. Thus, some vitamins and minerals are removed from it.
Brown Rice’s Health Benefits
The biggest benefit brown rice has got going for it is containing a large amount of dietary fiber. Moreover, it has high amounts of many of the important vitamins and minerals, in particular, it contains very large amounts of manganese and phosphorous. In other words, it’s the perfect match for your Kitchen Gadgets for Healthy Cooking.
The Difference Between Short-Grain and Long-Grain
There are two common types of rice among the brown variety, which are:
- Short-grain rice: this type of rice is fluffier and starchier, it has a stickier texture to it and tends to hold its shape, making most suitable for paella, risotto, and sushi. It’s time to get your Japanese Knife, Fish Poacher, and Food Chopper to prepare some SUSHI!
- Long-grain rice: this one is less starchy and is drier when cooked. Thus, it is perfect for dishes that feature lots of pilafs and sauces.
Specialty Brown Rice Types:
In addition to being brown or white, short-grain or long-grain, rice also can be one of many specialty varieties as well. Particularly, two of the most commonly found ones are:
- Jasmine rice: this is a traditional crop of Thai origins. It has a unique sweet flavor when cooked, be it on a Gas Cooktop, in the Microwave, or in a Convection Oven, and it is an appropriate choice for making many Asian meals, as it is quite sticky in texture.
- Basmati rice: a very long-grain that gets elongated further when cooked. Its slightly spicy aroma is what makes it unique, and it is most widespread in the middle east. The perfect use for this rice is in curry dishes, so keep it near your Spice Grinders, Spice Racks, and Salt and Pepper Grinder Set.
The Packaging Is Quite Important
Considering proper packaging and storage is of utmost importance when it comes to shopping for rice. The higher content of essential oil the shorter the shelf-life of brown rice. That’s why it’s even more crucial to choose a fully sealed product and to take good care in storing it in a cool and dry area. You should even use a Ziplock Food Storage Container if you’re planning on preserving it for a long time. Too bad rice cannot be stored in a Compact Refrigerator or a Chest Freezer.
Conclusion
Brown rice is a very unique food that is provided in many different distinct varieties, which are equally charming. They can complement your most beloved dishes while having numerous health benefits too. Make sure you pay attention to the factors we judged these products according to, and in no time, you’ll be able to make your own educated judgments and pick your favorite rice from the bunch without any help!
Before we forget, be sure to check out Amazon Prime Pantry for convenient online grocery shopping!
While you’re here, check out some of our other recommended food products and kitchen product reviews!
Sources: