Yes, brown rice is a grain. More specifically, it is a whole grain.
Here's a breakdown:
-
What is a grain? Grains are small, hard, dry seeds harvested for human or animal consumption.
-
Brown rice as a whole grain: Brown rice is considered a whole grain because it contains all three parts of the grain kernel:
- Bran: The outer layer, rich in fiber.
- Germ: The nutrient-packed core containing vitamins and minerals.
- Endosperm: The starchy part of the grain, providing carbohydrates.
-
Contrast with white rice: White rice, in contrast to brown rice, has had the bran and germ removed during processing, leaving only the endosperm. This makes white rice a refined grain.
Therefore, brown rice definitively falls under the classification of a grain, and specifically, a whole grain.
