California Calrose Receives World's Best Rice Award

WOODLAND, Calif., Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Hinode rice has built its brand with California Calrose since 1934. Now, this premium variety of japonica rice is gaining recognition from international growers and chefs worldwide. California Calrose just received the coveted award for World's Best Rice variety at this year's World Rice Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

To learn professional cooking tips and recipes using California Calrose rice like Hinode on Facebook or find them @HinodeRice on Twitter.

The contest included 24 entries from countries that produce rice for domestic sale and international trade. The panel of judges was made up of renowned rice chefs from a diverse network of international restaurateurs. Representing the California rice growing region was Chef Matthew Teruo Sato of Ten22 who won this years' "Lord of Rice" sushi competition.

Each variety of rice submitted to the World Rice Conference for consideration is confidentially marked and blindly tested for color, fragrance, taste and texture. After sampling each variety in its dry, uncooked form, samples were steamed and tasted as traditional table rice. This year, California Calrose was selected as the highest ranked variety in the world. Cambodian Fragrant rice received this award the previous three years, making this recognition a great honor for the California rice industry.

Jeremy Zwinger, CEO of The Rice Trade and host for the World Rice Conference, shares his perspective on how California competed against Eastern varieties of rice, "This win is a result of over 100 years of research by the California Rice Experiment Station, coupled with technologically advanced farming practices that safeguard the premium quality of Calrose rice." Mr. Zwinger continues, "Within the diverse global rice market, it is rewarding to witness California's success as Calrose rice gains international visibility. This year the title of World's Best Rice is reserved solely for California Calrose."

Hinode Calrose rice is traditionally prepared as white rice but now 100% whole grain brown rice is growing in popularity. A recent study released by the Whole Grains Council found 31% of respondents almost always choose whole grains. This is up from only 4% five years ago. ("Survey: Two-thirds of Americans Make Half Their Grains Whole." Whole Grains Council, 31 Aug. 2015. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.) Matt Alonso, President and CEO overseeing marketing and manufacturing of Hinode Calrose rice shares, "Volume sales for Hinode Calrose brown rice are up 25% and overall Hinode Calrose sales have increased 34% in the US this past crop year."

About Hinode Rice
Established in 1934, the Hinode brand is now owned by SunFoods, LLC; a joint venture formed in 2008 between local California rice farmers and Australian-based Ricegrowers Limited (trading as SunRice). With international partners in rice growing regions around the world, Hinode offers a full range of domestic and imported rice product to retailers across the US.

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SOURCE SunFoods,LLC

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