There’s rice, and then there’s Three Horses Brand rice!

As with most aspects of life, all things are NOT equal. This is certainly true when it comes to rice. As you’ve no doubt experienced for yourself, rice can range from almost inedible to so subtly fl avored and wonderfully transcendent you can’t imagine ever having another meal without it.

Such is the case with Three Horses rice.

Importance of Rice

Rice is arguably the most important human food crop in the world, directly feeding more people than any other crop. Nearly half of the world’s population – more than 3 billion people – rely on rice every day. It is also the staple food across Asia and is becoming increasingly important in Africa and Latin America.

Rice has also fed more people over a longer time than has any other crop. It is spectacularly diverse, both in the way it is grown and how it is used by humans. Rice is unique because it can grow in wet environments in which other crops cannot survive.

Rice is produced in a wide range of locations and under a variety of climatic conditions.

Three Horses Brand Jasmine Rice

Three Horses rice comes from Khon Kaen in the central part of the northeastern region of Thailand – one of the best regions in the world to grow jasmine rice. The company that grows, harvest and packages the rice to be sold in the US is renowned as one of the best rice producers in the world for 50 years.

Many companies often mix in long grain and other types of lower quality rice to keep their prices lower. But, as we all know, you get what you pay for!

Three Horses Brand is set apart from its competition by using 100% of the highest quality jasmine rice (with no low quality “fi ller” rice added). As a result, their rice is known for its silky-smooth texture, strong fragrance, wonderful fl uffi ness when cooked. Simply put, you won’t fi nd a better quality of jasmine rice.

Since Three Horses began distributing their rice in 1989, it has become a widely recognized brand and the best-selling jasmine rice throughout the Midwestern US. It is now one of the favorite brands used in restaurants in the region.

Recipe Versatility

Jasmine rice can be used in a wide array of dishes that go beyond traditional East and Southeast Asian recipes.

One such example comes from Anupy Singla the well-known cookbook author of three books on Indian cooking.

On Ms. Singla’s website (www. IndianAsApplePie.com), she shares a recipe – along with a companion video cooking class – for Saff ron Spiced Jasmine Pulao featuring the Three Horses Brand Jasmine Rice.

As she describes it: “This recipe is one that once you make it, will stay in your menu rotation. It’s really so good – made even more special with one of my favorite rice brands, Three Horses Jasmine Rice, and coconut milk. This pulao (rice) recipe is a combination of my own family recipe and one from the cookbook ‘A Little Taste of India’”

Three Horses Brand Sweet Rice

Sweet rice – which gets its name from being “sticky” and because it is often used as an ingredient in desserts – is a glutinous type of rice grown mainly in Southeast and East Asia, Northeastern India and Bhutan. It has short plump opaque grains, very low amylose content, and is especially sticky when cooked. Widely consumed across Asia, it is called glutinous in the sense of being glue-like or sticky, and not in the sense of containing gluten (which it does not).

Diff erent Asian cultures consume sticky rice in a variety of ways. Chinese and Filipino people both use sweet rice for pastries and desserts, while Laotians often eat it as part of their dinner. This is a wonderful rice to eat and is gaining in popularity in the US among many diff erent ethnicities.

The rice from Three Horses is a long-grain sweet rice from Thailand. When comparing Thai sticky rice to Japanese sticky rice, there is a distinct diff erence between the grains. Thai sticky rice is whiter and less opaque than Japanese rice. Thai sweet rice grains are also longer than their Japanese counterparts (which are referred to as short-grain).

While this rice can be eaten as a side dish or incorporated into a main dish, one of the most interesting uses of sweet rice is using it in desserts and mochi! Three Horses Brand is perfect for making sweet coconut sticky rice with mango, a Thai favorite.

You’ve Made Me Hungry! Where Can I Buy This Rice?

Here’s the best part: while Three Horses is a favorite brand of restaurants, their rice is widely available at local specialty grocery stores. This means that the rice you love at your favorite restaurant can also be made and enjoyed in the comfort of your own home.

Three Horses Support of the Filipino Community

For many years, Three Horses has been a major sponsor of numerous Filipino events throughout Chicago. They have sponsored a variety of galas, Filipino cooking events, and Filipino outdoor events – just to name a few. Now that you know more about their brand, you’ll likely be more aware of their contributions when you see them.

Support the rice that supports your community!

Look for it in the store and ask for it by name.

Enjoy!