| Though commonly referred to as a grain, this aquatic
grass plant grows naturally only in several select areas
of North America. From the Latin word ‘Zizania
aquatica’ or ‘water grass’, wild rice
is the only wild grass plant that produces a grain large
enough to be used as food by people. The wild rice grain
itself has a protein content higher that white rice,
corn, or even wheat. It is a somewhat rare foodstuff
and is considered a delicacy around the world.
A Brief History
Harvesting
Organic versus Paddy
A Brief History
Wild rice was being harvested by North American natives when the first missionaries arrived in the 1660’s. So valued was the plant that Indian tribes fought over it, explorers bartered for it and pioneers alike relied on it for survival.
The value in wild rice came not just in its flavor, however. As wild rice sheds moisture as it cures, proper curing allows it to be stored indefinitely. Thus, this valuable commodity was harbored and stored just in case winter was long and wild game scarce.
Harvesting
Traditional wild rice harvesting was done by hand
from canoe. Native North Americans would pass through
the rice beds in their canoes, fold the stalk over
the edge of the craft and softly beat the ripe kernels
from the head of the plant.
Though traditional methods for harvesting wild rice are still practiced today, modern economies have slowly effected a change towards more mechanical methods. Such methods copy the traditional methods using airboats that sweep the rice fields. Wide ‘hoppers’ on the crafts are used to collect ripe kernels. As the kernels fall easily from the stalk when ripe, these airboats have been specially manufactured to lose as few grains as possible when harvesting.
Harvesting occurs 3 to 5 times annually from the same rice bed. As the rice plant matures slowly from the top of the head to the bottom, this multiple harvest is necessary.
Organic Vs. Paddy
Organic wild rice or ‘lake rice’ refers to wild rice that occurs naturally. Naturally occurring wild rice is native only to several areas in North America: Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Minnesota. As a result, frost or flood can severely impact the fall harvest. To reduce this risk, ‘paddy rice’ was developed.
Paddy rice refers to cultivated wild rice. This type of wild rice is grown
in man-made rice fields and is most commonly machine harvested. The growing environment
for cultivated wild rice is controlled and as such, can be easily maintained in
climates not normally suited to the plant. Should the lake rice harvest be poor,
paddy rice can be easily supplemented to the harvest.
Canada (shoal@voyageur.ca)
USA (info@canoewildrice.com)
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