What makes wild rice so different from...

Wild rice grows in the Great Lakes region of North America, in shallow lakes and marshes. It was originally gathered by the Chippewa Indians there, in its natural habitat. It still grows wild in the northern third of Minnesota and in the Great Lakes region of Canada. Commercial producers plant it in paddies now, and it is most often harvested by machine. It is then air-dryed, or cured, to develop its nutty flavor. Wild rice contains more protein than ordinary white rice.