Rice protein is a plant-based protein derived from rice grains, typically brown rice. It is widely consumed as an alternative to animal-based protein sources. It is especially favoured by those with specific dietary preferences or restrictions, such as vegetarians or people with lactose intolerance or allergies to, for example, soy or dairy.
Rice protein is available in various forms, including powders and bars. You can use the powder in everything from smoothies and breakfast cereals to baked goods like bread and cookies. Its versatility makes it convenient for many to incorporate into their daily cooking.
Perhaps you also want to read our article about plant-based protein. This category includes, among others, soy protein, lentil protein, and bean protein.
Is rice protein a complete protein?
No, on its own, rice protein is not considered a complete protein. But, in combination with, for example, pea protein, soy protein, or lentil protein, you can still get a meal with a complete protein content.
How rice protein is made
Rice protein can come from both white and brown rice, but brown rice is often preferred because of its higher protein content. To extract the protein, the grains go through a few steps:
- First, they are milled to remove the outer husk and bran, which isolates the starchy part called the endosperm, where the protein is found.
- Then, enzymes are added to break down the carbohydrates and release the protein.
- After that, the mixture is filtered to separate the protein from the liquid part.
- To make the protein come together, heat or acid treatment is used in a process called precipitation, which causes the molecules to clump together and separate from the liquid.
- From here, the protein clumps are collected to make them more concentrated. To make it even more usable, the collected clumps are dried out to remove any moisture.
- Then, methods such as spray drying or freeze-drying are used to turn it into a fine powder.
Through these steps, the raw rice grains are transformed into a concentrated and easy-to-use powder. This powder can be added to many different products and used in various recipes. If you need more inspiration, read our article on protein sources for vegetarians.
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