At
Houchins Wild Rice, we sell only
100% NATURAL lake wild rice...No preservatives, pesticides, insecticides or fertilizers.
Hand harvested by canoe or other flat-bottomed boat, much as it has been for centuries, Natural wild rice grows only in the Western Great Lakes Region. Wild rice is actually an aquatic grass or grain. A staple of the Native American's in the area at one time...in fact it was the cause of many territorial disputes among tribes....it is harvested by knocking the ripened grain into the bottom of the boat using paddles called "knockers". The harvesting is done by teams of two, one to pole the boat through the rice and the second uses two paddles; one to bend the rice over the boat, the second to knock the rice into the boat. Using this method of harvesting, the majority of the rice falls back into the lake providing food for wildlife and seeding for the next year's crop.
Wild rice's naturally nutty flavor lends itself equally well to accompany fish or fowl, beef or pork, wild game or a variety of foods for a vegetarian meal fit for royalty! A truly versatile food, it lends itself well from a snack to dessert, a side dish to the main course. We do include free recipes in each package.