PRIMERA™ RED RICE – The Healthy Tasty Rice with Low Glycaemic Index and Rich in Antioxidant Content!

Rice is a staple food product that is synonymous with Malaysian culture. The most commonly consumed rice in Malaysia and globally is white rice. According to a report by Khazanah Research Institute (KRI), Malaysians had consumed an average of 80 kg of rice, per person, in 2016. Although carbohydrates are essential for the body as they provide us with energy, excess consumption of white rice, which is the major source of carbohydrates may lead to health issues because of its high glycaemic index (GI) value. The bran and germ which store abundant nutrients are also removed during the milling of white rice.

Rice sceptics can now have a different view of rice as Nomatech Sdn. Bhd., a home-grown company has produced a low glycaemic index (GI) superior red rice; Primera™ which is also high in fibre and rich in antioxidants. “It is developed through conventional breeding involving controlled cross-pollination between a Malaysian high yielding rice cultivar, MR219 and wild rice, Oryza rufipogon,” said Prof Dr. Wickneswari Ratnam, Plant Genetics and Biotechnology expert from Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

“The glycaemic index (GI) figure indicates the relative ability of a carbohydrate to increase the level of glucose in the blood. In other words, GI is a ranking given to food to describe how quickly the carbohydrate in the food is broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream. Foods with a low GI value, are slowly digested, causing a slower and stable rise in blood sugar levels which reduces the risk of developing diabetic complications,” added Prof. Wickneswari Ratnam.

The glycaemic index (GI) scale ranges from 0 to 100, with the lower numbers representing a low GI food and the higher number representing a high GI food. Foods have been classified by GI into low (GI ≤ 55), medium (GI 56–69), and high (GI ≥ 70).

At the GI value of 46, Primera™ Rice, also known as UKMRC9 is classified as low GI food. Low GI food is slowly digested by the body, eating a healthy portion of it makes you will feel satiated and prevents you from getting hungry fast. Primera™ Rice, which has a slightly nutty flavour and is pleasant to taste also supplies anthocyanin, a type of antioxidant that protects body cells against free radicals and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.

“A cup of Primera^TM Rice that is plainly boiled in two and a half cups of water produces nutty-flavoured red rice that goes well with side dishes such as rendang, soup, curry, and stir-fried vegetables. The slightly chewy texture of the rice adds complexity to the mouthfeel of your meal. The rice is not only enjoyable as plainly boiled rice, but it can also be cooked as nasi lemak, pilaf, fried rice, and salad. Recipes and educational articles on Primera^TM Rice are available at www.nomatech.com.my,” said Puan Sharifah Nur Rahimah Syed Alias, Director and Head of Business Development of Nomatech Sdn. Bhd. She added that Primera^TM Red Rice is now available at selected outlets such as Tesco, AEON Big, MyDin, The Store, Village Grocer, Giant, and also in online platforms at Lazada, Shopee and Presto Mall.

The launch event which took place at De. Wan 1958 By Chef Wan, The LINC KL was attended by multiple award-winning chefs and the culinary ambassador for Tourism Malaysia, Datuk (DR) Redzuawan Ismail or better known as Chef Wan who demonstrated his culinary prowess with an interesting presentation of 3 sumptuous dishes using Primera™ Rice. The dishes prepared were Nasi Berlauk, Bubur Aneka and Nasi Ulam.

So why wait? Let’s grab the Primera^TM Red Rice before you get another chance!

To discover more about Primera™ Rice, please visit:

Website:               www.nomatech.com.my/red-rice

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