Pinoys urged to try rice-adlai blend

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is exploring ways to diversify Filipinos’ food consumption through the rice-adlai blend.

PhilRice researchers are studying the feasibility and consumer acceptability of adlai mixed with rice, said to be a healthier way for people’s diet.

Also known as Job’s Tear, adlai comes from the same family of grasses where wheat, corn, and rice belong and is a tall grain-bearing tropical plant native to East Asia.

“We chose adlai owing to its very similar characteristics with rice. Our evaluation showed that rice eaters find rice-adlai blend acceptable,” Henry Mamucod of PhilRice research team said.

Adlai is grown and consumed in Zamboanga del Sur, Isabela, Batangas, Romblon, and the Bicol Region.

PhilRice tested three adlai varieties namely ginampay, gulian, and tapol to identify the most suited rice blend.

Results showed ginampay as the most acceptable variety and blending it with rice at 50:50 ratio increases the protein composition and the healthy fat content of the blend.

PhilRice said that while adlai naturally contains lower amount of carbohydrates, the 50:50 ratio of rice-ginampay provided the same amount of energy with that of pure rice.

The DA-attached agency recommended the rice variety NSIC Rc160 for blending with ginampay for better tenderness and taste without off-odor smell.

“Combined with NSIC Rc160, ginampay provides the consumer the same eating satisfaction as pure white rice.

Aside from being an excellent source of carbohydrates, the blend also provides higher nutritional value,” Mamucod said.

Meanwhile, PhilRice is also looking into the rice-corn blend and hopes to influence food manufacturers to make rice blends available in the market.

Adlai is available in dried form and is usually cooked as a grain. The grains may also be ground into flour for baking or fermented to produce beer and wine.

Furthermore, it is said to have medicinal properties that can help mitigate the symptoms of allergies, diabetes and cancer.

The plant is also resilient in extreme conditions, such as droughts and typhoons.