Speciality Food Magazine June 2024

ensure the health of the soil and protection of native wildlife. Based on the Rice Sustainability Report, USA rice growers have managed to achieve a 39% increase in land use efficiency, a 41% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and a 52% reduction in water use over the past four decades, with targets to further improve these figures by 2030. Sun Valley Rice has staunchly committed to eco practices, working diligently alongside its growers, within the milling process, and throughout distribution to be as environmentally friendly as possible. This includes the mill being powered by solar panels. Rice is also an important crop for the food system, being an affordable and healthy staple and a basic ingredient for a variety of international cuisines, many of them popular in the UK. Tasting the difference When you choose Sun Valley’s Californian-grown rice, not only can you feel good about your environmental and social impact choices, but you can be safe in the knowledge you’ve put flavour first. Californian rice is known for its exceptional taste and quality, and Sun Valley Rice offers a range of grains suitable for multiple applications and cuisines, from short andmedium grain white varieties, to brown and sprouted brown rice. specialityfoodmagazine.com 15 N utritious, filling and affordable. Rice is a staple across the world, with at least 3.5 billion people estimated to include the grain in their diets every single day. Often thought of as largely an Asian crop, conjuring images of paddy fields in exotic climes, the essential grain is equally happy growing in the lush landscapes of Northern California, taking root largely in the Sacramento Valley, where a combination of moisture- rich clay soils, hot days and cool nights mirror the conditions of Japan’s rice fields (which, incidentally, sits on the same latitude). It’s here that, for five generations, the LaGrande family, founders of Sun Valley Rice Company, have pioneered innovative, sustainable rice production. Drawing onmore than a century of experience and expertise, the teamworks closely with non-GMO family farms within a 100-mile radius of the mill, from Calusa to Yolo counties, yielding over 325 million pounds of premium rice each year. When you choose Sun Valley’s Californian- grown rice, not only can you feel good about your environmental and social impact choices, but you can be safe in the knowledge you’ve put flavour first Sun Valley Rice controls the entirety of the process, including farming, drying, milling and packing, ensuring the highest quality and care at every step. Sustainabilitymatters As the second largest rice producing state in the USA, California has honed its rice growing practices over 100 years and is renowned for its commitment to high quality and sustainability. Measures include the use of water-efficient irrigation systems and water management practices like Alternate Wetting and Drying, as well as the implementation of conservation programmes to PARTNER CONTENT GRAINS FROMTHE GOLDEN STATE The most abundant variety in California –MediumGrain Calrose – is moist and tender, releasingmore starch than long grain rice, for a creamy, perfectly chewy consistency. The miller’s PremiumMedium Grain Rice has a slightly larger kernel size, with a distinctive white, creamy centre and sweeter taste that makes it incredibly popular for making sushi. Short Grain Rice is the succulent, sticky sibling of the mediumgrain, most commonly used as a base for main Asian cuisines but also makes a great risotto or paella.table product, with a smaller, rounded kernel, mild, sweet, distinguished taste, and softer texture. Glutinous Sweet Short Grain Calmochi makes an excellent base for sweet desserts such as stickymango rice andmochi. And the Gen-Ji-Mai premiumNutri Whole Grain brown rice is a superior product that’s more water permeable, meaning it can be cookedmore quickly than regular brown rice while retainingmaximumnutrition. This rice perfectly taps into general consumer desire to increase the amount of fibre and whole grain products in their diets without making any compromise on taste Though all products in the Sun Sun Valley Rice is the specialist in sustainable, nutritious, Californian-grown rice Valley Rice stable have strong health claims. They are gluten free, a good source of complex carbohydrates, low in fat and sodium, and free from cholesterol. Californian rice is also naturally rich in vitamins andminerals including niacin, Vitamin D, calcium and iron, making it a nutritious and delicious choice. The crop outlook is currently looking very stable for the next few years. With consistent supplies of high-quality Californian rice available at competitive prices, now is the time to consider buying from the Golden State. Sun Valley Rice has a full service teambased in Guildford to make the supply of Californian rice easy with delivered prices , let the teamdo all the shipping and transportation for you.