Poha (rice)

Poha, chivda, chiwda or flattened rice is a preparation of rice made from raw, toasted, or parboiled rice grains pounded into flat flakes. It is traditional to many rice-cultivating cultures in Southeast Asia and South Asia. It is also known as rice flakes, beaten rice, pounded rice, pressed rice or chipped rice.

It is toasted, fried, or used as ingredients or toppings for other dishes. Depending on their use, they can be crispy, crunchy, chewy, or soft in texture with a light nutty flavour. Much like oatmeal, the term "flattened rice" and its equivalents in other languages may refer to the ingredient itself or a dish based on the ingredient.

South Asia

Flattened rice is a breakfast staple in South Asia, where it is called ''chiura'', ''poha'', avalakki (Kannada), ''aval'' ( Tamil, Malayalam), ''atukulu'' (Telugu), ''chuda'' ( Odia), ''chira'' ( Bengali), ''sira'' ( Assamese), and other names depending on the local language. It is particularly popular in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. ''Poha'' is made by de-husking rice grains and then parboiling or soaking them in hot water for 45 minutes. They are then dried, roasted, and flattened with rollers. They usually come in thin, medium, and thick varieties. Thinner varieties are ideal for cooking and dessert use, while thicker varieties are ideal for deep-frying. ''Poha'' can be eaten as snacks such as Indori poha, or cooked into various sweet, savory, or spicy dishes. Enthusiasts of the dish, especially in India, celebrate 7 June as International Poha Day.

Nepal

Flattened rice is called ''chiura'' () in Nepali and ''baji'' in Newar. It is part of the traditional samay baji platter, and holds an important place in the traditional Newar wedding ceremony. Chiura is usually included in the brideprice. After the initial wedding ceremony, the families escort the bride back to the groom's house. During this procession, the pounded rice ceremony occurs. The bride and groom are seated next to one another, and the bride is given the chiura. The groom asks three times for the bride to give him the chiura, each time using a less formal version of the pronoun "you".

Southeast Asia

Cambodia

Flattened rice is known in Cambodia as ''ambok'' (). It is made by toasting newly harvested rice (with husks on) on a wok, then pounding the heated rice with a large wooden mortar and pestle until flat. The husks are then removed. Ambok plays a very significant role in the Cambodian Water Festival ( Bon Om Touk). They are commonly eaten mixed with bananas, palm sugar, and coconut water, or roasted together with small shrimp.

Myanmar

Flattened rice in Myanmar is known as ''mont hsan'' (). In Lower Myanmar, it is traditionally given as an offering to U Shin Gyi, a guardian nat (spirit) of waterways. ''Mont hsan'' is also consumed in Upper Myanmar, and is used as an ingredient in Burmese snacks called mont.

Philippines

Flattened rice in the Philippines is called '' pinipig''. It is made using immature glutinous rice grains, giving it a distinctive greenish colour. It is de-husked first, pounded in a mortar with a pestle, and then toasted or baked until crisp. It has a crunchy exterior with a chewy centre. ''Pinipig'' is commonly eaten plain, used as toppings in desserts and drinks, or made into cakes.

A notable variant of ''pinipig'', from Pampanga is ''duman'', which differs in that it is toasted first before being pounded. It is celebrated annually in the Duman Festival of Santa Rita, Pampanga.

Thailand

Flattened rice is known as ''khao mao'' () in Thailand. Similar to the Philippine variant, it uses immature glutinous rice grains and is also green in colour. It is made by soaking de-husked rice grains in water for several hours, steaming them in a bamboo container, toasting them in a wok, and then pounding them flat in a mortar with a pestle.

Vietnam

Flattened rice in Vietnam is known as '' cốm''. It is also green in colour. It is made by toasting immature rice grains over low heat and then pounding them flat in a mortar with a pestle. The husk is removed afterwards via winnowing. It can be eaten plain, used as an ingredient in other dishes, or made into cakes known as '' bánh cốm''. It is commonly eaten during the Autumn season.

See also

* Rolled oats
* Puffed rice
* Rice Krispies
* List of rice dishes

References

{{Varieties of rice

Breakfast cereals
Rice dishes