Planet Rice Quinoa & Sprouted Rice Power Blend, raw on plate, and cooked in the bowl.

Being Chinese-American, I grew up on white rice. And nothing but.

Black, brown, red and even bamboo-green rices were non-existent in my parents’ kitchen.

That’s why these other types intrigue me so much now. So when I had a chance to try samples of Planet Rice’s sprouted rices, I happily did so.

What is sprouted rice? Just what it sounds like: rice that has been soaked in water until the grains sprout ever so slightly.

The result is a softer texture. Not only that, but studies have shown that the sprouting increases the amount of fiber, B vitamins, and magnesium, as well as Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, an amino acid that can help lower anxiety and blood pressure, and afford deeper sleep and improved cardiovascular functions.

Who wouldn’t want more of that, right?

The non-GMO rice is grown by a fifth-generation, family-owned rice farm in Sacramento.

The Sprouted Brown Rice is nutty tasting and with a subtle sweetness. It definitely cooks up more tender than other brown rice. In fact, my Japanese-American husband, who is normally not a fan of brown rice because of the added chew factor, enjoyed this with no complaints.

The Sprouted “California Blonde” Rice is like brown rice-light. It has the nutrition of brown rice, but the mild taste and soft texture of white rice because the outer bran layer is milled off.

The Quinoa & Sprouted Rice Power Blend boasts a lot of texture because of the red, white and black quinoa that’s added. It’s quite chewy and nutty tasting. It’s so flavorful that it’s almost like a pilaf all on its own. Because quinoa is a complete protein, this blend is ideal for a vegetarian meal or if you happen to be observing “Meatless Monday.”

The rice is available in 14-ounce bags for about $5 at Sprouts, Andronico’s, Lunardi’s, Mollie Stone’s, and Draeger’s.

They come in resealable packages.

One quarter cup has about 160 to 170 calories, depending on the variety, 2 grams dietary fiber, and 4 to 5 grams of protein.

The rice cooks up easily on the stove-top or in a rice cooker, using the same ratio of rice to water in each method. Plan on about 25 to 40 minutes of cooking time, no matter which way you cook it.

The directions will leave you laughing as they instruct you to: “Walk the dog, do several 8-minute abs, etc. Once all the liquid is absorbed, remove from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff. Serve. Be amazing.”

You have to love rice that’s not only good for you, but has a good sense of humor.