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Azerbaijanis eat more rice

1 October 2014 12:00 (UTC+04:00)
Azerbaijanis eat more rice

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijanis are fond of their traditional foods, which are served at most gatherings. One of these foods is the delicious spicy Pilaf.

Pilaf is the most common dish at Azerbaijani weddings and other great ceremonies. Known in Azerbaijani as Ash and Plov, the dish is believed to come to Azerbaijan from Iran and India. Today, Azerbaijani cuisine has dozens of types of pilafs.

Rice in Azerbaijani Pilaf is never sticky. The pilaf is usually served in a special plate with the accompanying sauces and stews in separate bowls.

The latest statistics show that rice eating has increased 40 percent in Azerbaijan, which is over 28,400 tons per year. Annual rate of rice eating per capita is 7.4 kg in the country.

Rice is a very healthy product, which is able to provide fast and instant energy. It stabilizes blood sugar levels and provides an essential source of vitamin B1.

It can also boost skin health, increase the metabolism, help digestion, reduce high blood pressure, help weight loss efforts, improve immune system and provide protection against some disease. These features have made it a fundamental food in many cultural cuisines around the world.

This important cereal crop feeds more than half of the world's population. It is easy to cook. It is tasty and affordable in price.

The Chairman of the Sustainable Development Research Center, Nariman Agayev says the rise in rice eating in Azerbaijan is connected with increase of population's income, and the more accurate calculation of this product's consumption.

Most of the rice is imported to the country from abroad. Azerbaijan mostly imports rice from India, Pakistan, and Thailand, as the country's climate makes it possible to produce rise only in two southern regions of Lankaran and Astara.

Local production meets the demand for rice only at 17 percent, and there is no huge capacity in production of this valuable crop in the country. However, the production of rice has increased in 36 percent in recent years.

There is an increase in reaping of rice not cleaned from husk in Azerbaijan. In 2013, the figure reached 49,000 tons. The areas under this rice are also expanding.

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