Rice around the world at HCC today

    For most Americans, including yours truly, rice is a once in awhile dish but in many countries, especially in Asia, this food is the most important staple in their diet.  In a reflection of this fact tomorrow at the Howard Community College you are invited to sample rice dishes from a variety of countries.  I received the following information from the College:

     "You're invited to join us for a fun and informative cultural event! While tasting rice dishes at each country’s station, you will meet international students who are eager to share information about their home countries. The event is drop-in, so you can circulate as quickly or slowly as you like. There will also be music performances and assorted entertainment throughout the event. Parking is available in the West Parking Garage which is beside the Hickory Ridge Building and across from the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center (HVPA) building. We have had about 400 people attend this popular event in previous years.

ELC’s Rice around the World | International Education Week 2013

Tuesday, November 12, 11:00am-1:00pm

HVPA Lobby

Join English Language Center students for a culinary celebration of this tiny (but mighty!) carbohydrate that accounts for 20% of the world’s caloric intake. Get your “passport” stamped at each country booth as you interact with international students from around the world, sample their rice dishes, and enjoy musical performances."

P.S.

   The importance of rice to the diet of Asian countries is seen in the following info from the Patent Lens website: 

     "About 3 billion people, nearly half the world's population, depend on rice for survival. In Asia as a whole, much of the population consumes rice in every meal. In many countries, rice accounts for more than 70% of human caloric intake. As seen in Figure 1, the total consumption of rice (expressed as % of total calorie intake) varies widely between different regions. In Asia in total, just over 30% of all calories come from rice.

But within a region, rice intake varies even more widely. Figure 2 shows fifteen of the countries most reliant on rice for energy. The graphs show that although total Asian rice intake is around 30%, people in countries such as Cambodia, Bangladesh and Myanmar rely on rice for over 70% of their calories. Africans as a whole gain less than 10% of their calories from rice, but in countries such as Madagascar and Sierra Leone, people use rice for nearly 50% of their energy needs."

Figure 1: Rice as a percentage of total caloric intake by region (2000).*

Figure 2: Rice as a percentage of total caloric intake (top 15 countries)*