What is the Difference Between Paddy and Rice?

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The primary difference between paddy and rice lies in the stage of processing.

  • Paddy: Paddy refers to the unprocessed, unhusked form of rice that is still in the field. It is the rice grain with the husk surrounding the inner edible kernel. Paddy rice is the main crop in many Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
  • Rice: Rice is the grain after it has been harvested, threshed, and milled to remove the husk, bran, and germ, leaving the edible grain. Rice is a cereal grain and serves as the staple food for over half of the world's population, particularly in Asia and Africa.

In summary, paddy becomes rice after the removal of the husk by threshing. While paddy is the rice with the husk, rice refers to the edible grain after processing.

Comparative Table: Paddy vs Rice

The main difference between paddy and rice lies in their structure and processing status. Paddy refers to the rice grain with its husk intact, while rice is the seed of the paddy plant without the husk. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between paddy and rice:

Feature Paddy Rice
Definition Paddy is the rice grain with its husk intact. Rice is the seed of the paddy plant without the husk.
Structure Paddy has a thicker outer husk, which needs to be removed before the grain can be consumed. Rice has the outer husk removed, making it ready for consumption.
Production Paddy is harvested directly from the rice plant. Rice is produced by processing paddy, removing the husk and any additional layers.
Processing Paddy requires additional processing steps, such as dehusking, to convert it into edible rice. Rice is already in an edible form, requiring no further processing.

Different types of rice are produced and traded worldwide, including long-grain, medium-grain, short-grain, aromatic (jasmine and basmati), and glutinous varieties.