Price of rice set to double

The price of a portion of rice in Britain could soon increase twofold thanks to a worldwide shortage.

Consumers have already been hit in the pocket by rising prices in cash and carries, but supermarkets, restaurants and takeaways will soon have to follow suit and up the costs of their meals. At the moment, a standard portion of pilau rice in a restaurant costs £2.15, but this could soon be priced at over £4.00 - in some cases, more than the cost of your accompanying curry.

A spokesman for the Rice Association told Metro newspapers: “Supermarkets might be able to put off these increases for a few months but they will have to come through to the consumers in the end.”

Rice, in particular its brown or wholemeal type, is a popular diet food, and is healthier than the starchy, refined white variety. The fibre content of brown rice in particular can help to protect against cancers and intestinal problems, whilst the high levels of manganese it contains has good energy and anti-oxidising properties.

When cooking rice, ensure that it is washed first, as top celebrity chefs say this stops the grains clumping together or sticking to the pan.

Source: Metro newspapers