Thai Trade introduces healthy, white, fluffy rice

TORONTO — Even in Canada's most authentic Thai restaurants, there are customers who simply don't like brown rice, despite its nutritional benefits. Enter RD43, a white, fluffy rice that's great for your health, especially diabetes.

That's what Nuit Regular, executive chef of Pai Toronto, said to CLN at the introduction and tasting of RD43 rice, along with Riceberry rice and the popular Hom Mali rice from Thailand.

Pai Toronto, a Thai Select restaurant downtown, played host to the Thai Trade launch of their Healthy Rice Campaign on July 20. Ms. Chutima Bunyapraphasara, Thailand's deputy minister of commerce, gave the opening remarks, followed by Mr. Watcharaphon Boonlai, the Advisor of the Minister of Commerce.

Thailand has long been known for its Thai Hom Mali rice, a long-grain variety of fragrant rice that must meet rigorous certification standards before it is exported around the world. More recently, the country has introduced Riceberry, a deep purple whole grain rice with softness and a pleasant aftertaste.

The star of the event was RD43, a new Thai white rice with a low glycemic index, making it suitable for diabetics. It will be coming to Canada soon.

“Not now, but in the future, there will be rice for the brain, rice for beauty and rice for diabetes,” Mr. Boonlai told the assembled crowd, which included grocery store executives, importers, chefs and journalists. Riceberry is the rice for beauty; while RD43 is for health, especially diabetes.

Hoteliers and restaurateurs who are interested in finding out more about RD43 should contact Thai Trade Toronto. Website: www.thaitrade.com. Email: toronto@thaitrade.ca. Tel: (416) 921-5400.

The following week on July 25, Kiin, another of Chef Nuit Regular's Thai restaurants received Thai Select Premium certification. Thai Select Premium indicates a degree of excellence of 5-star or higher. This is given to restaurants with a score of 85 or above. With the premium status, the restaurants suggest traditional Thai decorations and outstanding services. Thai foods offered are authentic and are of premium quality. Overall, these restaurants produce a premier dining experience.