CAROLINA GOLD RICE

The history of Carolina Gold Plantation Rice goes back to 1800’s and the way the story goes it was known as the ‘Golden Seed” and used as payment in Charleston for ship repairs. This ship was from Madagascar. It became the primary rice crop in the United States grown on plantations all the way up to the Civil War. After the war the rice was cross bred with other strains of rice for easier harvesting. In the 80’s the true strain of Carolina Gold has been revived and grown as a heirloom variety. I have heard about this variety and always wanted to give this rice a try. Here we go.

I bought this rice mail order and received it the next day. The price was just under 20 dollars for two pounds delivered. It comes in a colorful yellow cloth sack. There are no surprises here, it looks like rice. I looked for cooking suggestions and the only thing I found was 1 part rice to two parts water. I cooked a cup of rice with two cups of water with a pinch of salt. I let it simmer for 15 minutes on a very low heat. I took it off the heat and let it sit covered for another 10 minutes. The lid was removed and I fluffed the rice with a fork. When the lid was removed a nutty rice like aroma wafted throughout the kitchen.

The rice was served with bbq chicken wings, salsa, avocado, and a savory cream cheese roll. The rice had great texture with good kernel separation. How did it taste? I would like to tell you it had a nutty taste with floral quality being the best rice ever. It was and it was not. Yes it did have the nuttiness and floral qualities but you know….it is just rice. Carolina Gold Rice is a wonderful variety of rice. It has a great back story and supporting the preservation of heirloom food is something I support. I am glad to have given this a try………………………….Thanks Aaron for the heads up.