Oryza Sativa

L.

Rice (E); Arroz (Ch,S); Oroz (Cu). In Darien, as in many torpical areas, rice replaces other cereals as the staff of life with some ethnic groups. Among the inland Cuna and Choco, rice is supplanted by Musa as the most important staple. With the bran intact rice is nutritious with starches and fats, but not high enough in proteins. Rice diets should be supplemented with legume proteins. Perhaps for this reason arroz y frijoles is a popular diet in Latin America. Colombian Choco Indians make bollos of rice mixed with corn wrapped in Calathea. Most Darien houses have their mano de pilon for threshing rice, the chaff going to the chickens and pigs. Seedlings of rice are also edible. The grain is simetimes fermented to make rice beer. The grain may be converted to starch for breadstuffs and puddings. A poultice of rice make a good application for burns.