5 COLORS OF THE RICE

Rice will always be a part of Filipino table… and traditions.

Ilocanos, so dependent on every meal from morning to lunch to dinner. But not only in those important meals but also in siestas like snacks.

More than that, all special occasions will not be complete without the delicacies made from rice. You know, like, patupat, imbagkal, suman, kalamay among others.

It will not be a trivia that, we, Filipinos of the north got so many kinds of rice varieties. It differs colors. Each variety colors have also their own characteristics and purpose.

It also grown not in the same kind of lands. Some were grown in rice fields but others are in slopes, hills and marsh lands.
Speaking of rice colors and varieties in the Philippines, these are few.
WHITE RICE

Of course it’s the most common among all kinds of rice. It’s the mostly used in every day meals. Be in the regular cooking rice or the glutinous one, white rice is so regular among all kinds. Of course, this is also the kind that got so many varieties according to geographical locations, planted, prepared, studied among others. And there are also kinds of hybrid, inbred and glutinous one. There are kinds that are so smooth, fragrant and really taste good.
BROWN RICE

Said to be the most nutritional kind of all the rice, well according to some literature that have been written. Brown rice is also common in Ilocos because farmers from upland towns plants this kind of rice. It is usually planted at the slopes of the hills or mountains. It is also more pricey than the regular rice. Though its healthier but according to many when it comes to taste the white kind are still better compare to brown rice. But maybe, it’s just how you cook and putting it into recipe. No known kind of glutinous from brown rice in this place.
BLACK RICE

We call it “ballatinaw”. Black rice is known to be glutinous one. Mainly preferred for rice delicacies because of its color, texture and taste. Occasions like Christmas, birthdays, fiestas and even All Saints day will not be complete without the delicacies from black rice like the patupat, kalamay, imbagkal and many other kinds of rice delicacies. Ballatinaw has been here long time ago, in fact this was our old folks rice when thanksgiving ceremonies among other festivities are held.
RED RICE

The harder kind of rice to find in the region. The red color is just brighter kind of brown rice. This kind is not glutinous so it is also like white and brown rice cook for daily meals. You can’t buy them in the market but usually being sold during agricultural fair and trade fairs in the region.