What is rice noodles?
Mixian, also known as rice noodles, is a type of noodle made from rice flour. It is a traditional staple in Yunnan cuisine, originating from the Yunnan Province in southwestern China. Mixian noodles are characterized by their delicate and smooth texture, making them a versatile ingredient in various dishes. They can be served in soups, stir-fried, or mixed with sauces and toppings to create flavorful noodle dishes. Mixian noodles are popular not only in Yunnan but also in other parts of China and Southeast Asia, where they are enjoyed for their light and chewy texture.
How is it made?
Rice noodles, originating from China, are a type of food made from fresh rice. They undergo a series of more than ten processes, including rice selection, cleaning, soaking, fermentation, grinding, aging, synthesis, initial steaming, pressing, boiling, cooling, rinsing, and packaging, to produce the characteristic linear rice product. The manufacturing processes have evolved independently in different regions, with Yunnan's Mengzi alone producing two types: sour paste and dry paste rice noodles.
Types
Sour paste rice noodles and dry paste rice noodles
Commonly found varieties of fresh rice noodles in the market include "sour paste rice noodles" and "dry paste rice noodles". Yunnan rice noodles have a sour taste because of their longer fermentation process. Locals prefer "sour Paste" noodles, while "dry Paste" noodles can last more than five days.
Crossing Bridge Rice Noodles
The famous rice noodle dish, "Crossing Bridge Rice Noodles," from Mengzi, Yunnan, has a 111-year history. It is known for its unique meat broth with a layer of chicken oil that insulates the hot broth, giving it the appearance of not boiling. Thinly sliced pork and cracked quail eggs are added to the broth and slightly cooked before rice noodles and condiments are mixed in. Small pot rice noodles are popular in Kunming and Kaiyuan.
Calories and Nutrition
Different brands and flavours may vary, a reference calories and nutritional value of packed, dried rice noodles noodle per 100g is as below:
- Energy 1496 kilojoules / 358 kcal
- Protein 7.01 grams
- Fat 0.91 grams
- Saturated fat 0.196 grams
- Polyunsaturated fat 0.304 grams
- Monounsaturated fat 0.169 grams
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Carbohydrates 77.95 grams
- Sugar 0.67 grams
- Fiber 2.1 grams
- Sodium 133 mg
- Potassium 80 mg
therefore, 2% calories comes from fat, 90% from carbs and 8% from protein