What are some facts about rice?

Rice is a grain that serves as a staple food for nearly half the world's population. It is rich in carbohydrate sugars, proteins and B vitamins and is used in the production of beverages such as rice wine, rice milk and sake.

As of 2015, 90 percent of the world's rice is cultivated and consumed in Asia, while Americans consume 20 pounds of rice per person per year. Originating in China, rice has been consumed for over 4,000 years. There are 40,000 different varieties of rice that differ in size, texture and taste. It can be white, yellow, brown, purple, red or black.