My Relationship With White Rice
I'm from Hungary, which you may know from my previous articles. We don't eat unflavored white rice in Hungary. There is always some kind of flavoring, usually vegetables and salt, but at least salt if there is nothing else to go in there.
The Japanese recipe for white rice is easier: rice and water. End of.
In my mind rice without any flavoring is associated with utmost poverty. Similar to eating bread on it's own. In Japan rice is always eaten without any flavoring. No vegetables, no salt, nothing.
At first I thought, oh well, if I put up with it long enough I'll be able to enjoy it eventually. The human body and mind is a remarkable thing after all, and can get used to just about anything.
I thought that in about 2 years I'll discover the taste behind the blandness that casual visitors often complain of.
I made this assumption based on experience; it took me about that long to "discover" the taste of unsalted potatoes and veggies when I was living in England. Then I began to actually like it.
Now I use a lot less salt than before, so I fully expect to live a 100 years. :)
I have been in Japan since April 2008, so the critical time has passed. As expected, I can now actually perceive the taste of unflavoured rice. And, to be honest, I don't like it. Sorry, my Japanese friends.
It is worse than that. My body is reacting to it adversely. This mild sweetness I can now taste is nauseating. My stomach turns and I can't eat anymore. I know it is all in my head but I don't know how to
get around it.
I guess it's a good thing as I'm on a diet. My target is to lose 9 more kilos. I bought a 30kg bag of brown rice. When it comes to brown rice vs white rice, brown rice wins not just in the taste department; it has fewer calories and more nutrients than white rice. SandorSandor Benko's Twitter
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