Frequently Asked Questions, and Answers!

Hide All Answers

A: Our products are available for sale across the country in most natural food and co-op stores, gourmet/specialty markets, chain grocery stores and online. If you want to purchase them directly from our web site please visit our online store. Since we sell most of our rice through distributors we may not know every store in a particular area that stock our rice, but you can always call us to ask.

If our products are not sold at the store you choose to shop at, you might consider asking for our items to be brought in.

You can also find our products on the menus of many "white tablecloth" restaurants.

A: Heirloom is a term used to refer to plants that are grown from indigenous seed stock. Often, these seed stocks are ancient and have been used in a region traditionally. These seeds have not been hybridized or genetically engineered.

A: During the days of the Ching and Ming dynasties Forbidden Rice was exclusively reserved for the Chinese Emperors to ensure their longevity and good health. Eventually, common people were allowed to eat the rice. Since then, it has become a nourishing staple that is reputed to promote long life and good health.

A: Forbidden Rice has the darkest bran layer of any whole grain rice. It is this bran layer where all the minerals, vitamins and fiber are stored. Forbidden Rice is also very high in a class of antioxidants called anthocyanins and could be considered a "superfood." For such a dark whole grain rice, it is extremely convenient, cooking in only 30 minutes and producing a roasted nutty taste with a hint of fruit or floral at the finish. In Chinese medicinal they say that Forbidden Rice is a blood tonifier, aids in the circulation of the blood and is high in chi. Learn more about this amazing rice, and the "Black Dragon River" region where it is grown.

A: Forbidden Rice is not dyed; it is awhole grain rice where the outer layer is black. This black bran is where all the nutritional value of the rice is stored. When wet, this black bran bleeds. Care should be taken in using wooden utensils.

A: Fair trade is to foster an equitable and sustainable global system of production and trade. When we first began importing our rices, fair trade certified rice did not exist. However, we have always supported global sustainability and paid our small family farmers premium prices for their highest quality, highest nutrition heirloom rices. You can learn more about this on our Fair Trade page.

A: Yes, by Scroll K.

A: Rinsing rice is a personal preference. Here at Lotus Foods, we do not rinse our rice because we prefer to keep all the nutritional value of each grain.

A: All grains contain phytic acid (an organic acid in which phosphorous is bound) in the outer layer or bran. Whole grains, in particular, may be difficult for some people to digest. As little as 7 hours of soaking in warm water will neutralize a large portion of phytic acid in grains and vastly improve their nutritional benefits.

A: Lotus Foods should be stored in cool and dry conditions. Our rice is warehoused in 55-60 degree temperatures. If you are not going to use the rice for long periods of time, rice can be kept in the refrigerator and can even be frozen. Exposing the rice to heat and sunlight can cause the rice to go rancid or to develop bugs.

A: We have a number of certified organic rices; Organic Forbidden Rice®, Organic Jade Pearl Rice™, Organic Jasmine Rice and Organic Brown Jasmine Rice. Additionally, our Cambodian Mekong Flower, Indonesian Volcano and Madagascar Pink Rice are all in their 3rd year of transitioning to organic. Our Bhutanese Red Rice has been grown for centuries without the use of herbicides and pesticides and we continue to work with Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture to help farmers secure organic certification. All of our rices are premium and natural with great cooking quality, taste, texture, color and nutritional value.

A: Whole grain means that the germ and bran layer on the rice is left intact. All rice starts as a whole grain; when the germ and bran layer is removed, you then have white rice.

Most of the nutritional value in a grain of rice is within the germ and bran layer. This layer is most often brown (as in brown rice), but can also be red (as in Bhutanese Red Rice) and black (as it is in the Forbidden Rice). There is extensive scientific evidence documenting the fact that incorporating whole grains into the diet promotes health and can prevent a number of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancers. Learn more about the wonderful benefits of whole grains.

A: A lifelong autoimmune intestinal disorder, found in individuals who are genetically susceptible. Damage to the mucosal surface of the small intestine is caused by an immunologically toxic reaction to the ingestion of gluten and interferes with the absorption of nutrients. Celiac Disease (CD) is unique in that a specific food component, gluten, has been identified as the trigger. Gluten is the common name for the offending proteins in specific cereal grains that are harmful to persons with CD. These proteins are found in all forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn, and faro), and related grains, rye, barley, and triticale, and must be eliminated.

A: Yes. All of our rices are gluten and wheat free.

A: Yes. However, if you have diabetes, you should eat the whole grain rice since these grains have a low glycemic index. Whole grains do not turn into sugars rapidly and can be digested at a more even rate so there will not be a spike in blood glucose levels. Read more about whole grains and the benefits to diabetics.

A: Not all carbohydrate foods are created equal, in fact they behave quite differently in our bodies. The glycemic index or GI describes this difference by ranking carbohydrates according to their effect on our blood glucose levels. Choosing low GI carbs - the ones that produce only small fluctuations in our blood glucose and insulin levels - is the secret to long-term health reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes and is the key to sustainable weight loss.

All of our whole grainrices have a low glycemic index of 55 or less.

The processing line at Lotus Foods co-packing facility is free of peanuts, but they do process products that contain tree nuts. Standard sanitizing procedures are followed between processing runs to eliminate contamination.

"Aromatic" is a term given to numerous varieties of rice characterized by a pronounced nutty aroma and flavor, often compared to popcorn. Jasmine Rice is, perhaps, one of the best-known aromatic varietals, although there are others, such as our Forbidden Rice®. It is believed that the aroma is produced by a much higher proportion of a naturally occurring compound found in all rice, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline.

All rice starts as a whole grain, which means that the germ and bran layer are intact. When these are removed, you have white rice. The most common bran layer for rice is brown. But there are also red and black rices. The darker the bran layer, the more nutritional value the rice has. So our Forbidden Rice®, which is ablack rice, is the most nutrient-dense rice you can buy. Some rices are only partially milled, so some of the bran layer is left on. These rices tend to be light tan, pink or even a striated color. Our Madagascar Pink Rice is an example of rice that is partially milled. It still retains a high level of nutrition, but cooks faster and has a texture that is closer to white rice.

During growth some rice tillers (or stalks) break off during the liquid stage of growth which causes some of the rice to have a darker color when it matures. This color does not affect the taste or quality of the rice. Our rice mill cannot sort out these dark rices, although other rice mills do have this capacity, which is why you may not see this effect in other brands of rice.

Sometimes the rice will spatter through the vent hole, which sometimes may get messy. To prevent this from happening, simply put the steamer tray on top (which defuses the stream of steam) and put the glass lid on top of that. Otherwise, placing a paper towel loosely over the vent hole will soak up the excess without affecting the rice cooking process.

Rice sticking to the bottom of the pan is normal and one of the reasons that Teflon became so popular. Unfortunately, Teflon rice cookers are unhealthy and unsustainable (you can read more about this on our rice cooker page). Our rice cooker is made of stainless steel -- the only non-reactive cooking surface. Stainless steel is recyclable and a great conductor of heat and does not leach any harmful chemicals into your food. So, although it may take one more step to clean, we believe it is the best, most healthful option.

Here are our suggestions for easier cleaning:

1. Try putting some oil, such as peanut oil, on the bottom of the pan before cooking your rice.
2. If the rice has already stuck to the bottom of the cooker, add an inch of water and put the cooker back on cook. Let the water come to a boil. Shut the cooker and leave standing until the water cools. This loosens the cooked rice and makes it easy to clean.
3. Put a cup of water in the rice cooker and let it re-cook. Then turn it to warm, or turn it off, and strain the rice tea into a cup and drink it. This is a favorite drink in Madagascar that they make after cooking rice. It is delicious and nutritious.
4. Simply soak the rice bowl in hot water and the water will will loosen the rice and make it easy to clean.

We have been working with farmers who grow our Forbidden Rice®, Organic Forbidden Rice® and Organic Jade Pearl Rice™ for many years. The "Black Dragon River" region where these rices are grown is one of the few areas in China that can be certified organic, due to the pristine nature of the land and waters there. Organic certification implies that no chemicals have been used in the production of the rice. Additionally, we test each container of rice that we receive for pesticide residue or other toxicity. While we have never had reason to do so, if any container of rice were found to be contaminated, we would reject it.

Our rice cooker is covered by a separate Lotus Foods guarantee:

"The original purchase of this appliance is fully protected against defects in parts, materials and workmanship for a period of one year. All repairs will be made without charge, provided this model appliance is delivered to the Lotus Foods address prepaid. Return shipping will be free of charge within the contiguous United States. This is in lieu of all other guarantees expressed or implied by any persons in any way connected with the sales, distribution or manufacture of said model appliance. This guarantee will not apply to any part of this machine, which has been subjected to any accident, abuse or misuse. This guarantee is void if appliance is used commercially. Address: Lotus Foods, Inc. 921 Richmond Street, El Cerrito, CA 94530, Phone: 510-525-3137"

If you purchase rice from our online store and are not absolutely satisfied with your purchase, for any reason, let us know. We will promptly replace the item or give you a refund of its purchase price. It's that simple. Click here for details.

Please call 510-525-3137 for return authorization. After receiving authorization, then send item prepaid to:

Lotus Foods, Inc.
921 Richmond Street
El Cerrito, CA 94530

Our returns center cannot process exchanges. If you have found another item on our site that you would prefer over the one originally ordered, please return the original item and place a separate order for the new item. We will notify you via e-mail when the return has been processed.