What is the Difference Between Rice and Millet

The main difference between rice and millet is that rice is a cereal plant of the grass family whose seeds are used for food, whereas millet can be any of the several species of cereals that produce small grains when compared to maize. 

Rice and millet are two types of cereal grains cultivated for human consumption as sources of carbohydrates. The two main species of rice are Asian rice (Oryza sativa) and African rice (Oryza glaberrima). On the other hand, pearl millet is the most commonly grown millet species; other millet species include finger millet, proso millet, and foxtail millet. Moreover, rice is the most consumed staple food of large parts of the human population, while millet is an important crop due to its productivity and short growing season. 

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is Rice
     – Definition, Features, Importance
2. What is Millet
     – Definition, Features, Importance
3. What are the Similarities Between Rice and Millet
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Rice and Millet
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cereal Grains, Dietary Fiber, Grass, Millet, Proteins, Rice

What is Rice 

Rice is a cereal grain used as the main staple food across the world. Generally, rice plays a key role in human caloric intake and nutrition. Moreover, the two main grass species of rice are Oryza sativa (Asian rice) and Oryza glaberrima (African rice). Besides, rice is a monocot usually grown as an annual. Furthermore, rice contains 28% carbohydrates, 3% protein and micronutrients, including B vitamins, iron, and manganese. 

Figure 1: Oryza sativa

Usually, rice is a good source of energy as it contains a higher amount of simple carbohydrates. However, these simple carbohydrates digest quickly and increase the blood glucose level. Therefore, the intake of more rice can cause obesity. However, brown rice prevents obesity and controls diabetes. They also improve digestion as they contain the bran with more dietary fibres.  

What is Millet 

Millet is a collection of small, cereal grains produced in small leafier plants of the grass family. Millet has high productivity as well as shorter growing season. Moreover, they can be grown under dry and high-temperature conditions. Therefore, they are prominent corps in semiarid tropics of Africa and Asia. Generally, the main types of millets include jowar (sorghum), bajra (pearl millet), ragi (finger millet), korra (foxtail millet), arke (kodo millet), sama (little millet), chena/barr (proso millet), and sanwa (barnyard millet). 

Figure 2: Finger Millet

Moreover, millets are generally grown for local human consumption. They are also important as poultry food. Especially, millets are rich in proteins, dietary fibre, minerals including iron and phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium, and vitamins, including the vitamin B complex. Therefore, they are rich in nutritional value like fruits and vegetables. Millet can also improve digestion and fight against diabetes.  

Similarities Between Rice and Millet 

• Rice and millet are two types of cereal grains cultivated for human consumption. 
• Both are grasses. 
• Moreover, the three main parts of their grain are the endosperm, germ, and the bran. 
• Their endosperm is rich in carbohydrates, bran is rich in dietary fibre, and the germ is rich in vitamins and minerals. 
• Besides, both do not contain cholesterol. 

Difference Between Rice and Millet 

Definition 

Rice refers to a swamp grass widely cultivated as a source of food, especially in Asia while millet refers to the cereals grown in warm countries and regions with poor soils, bearing a large crop of small seeds chiefly used to make flour. So, this is the main difference between rice and millet.

Types 

The two main types of rice varieties are the Asian rice and African rice, while the main types of millets are pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), finger millet (Eleusine coracana), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), and foxtail millet (Setaria italica). 

Significance 

Moreover, rice is the most consumed staple food of large parts of the human population, while millets are grown for both human consumption and for fodder. 

Dietary Fiber 

Another difference between rice and millet is that rice is rich in dietary fibre, while millet contains more dietary fibre than rice. 

Protein 

Furthermore, rice contains less amount of proteins that millets.

Vitamins and Minerals 

Vitamin and mineral content is another important difference between rice and millet. Rice contains comparatively a lesser amount of vitamins and minerals while millets contain a higher amount of vitamins and minerals. 

Conclusion 

Rice is the main staple food in many parts of the world. Moreover, the two main types of rice are Asian and African rice. Generally, rice is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. On the other hand, millets are small cereal grains rich in proteins, dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals apart from carbohydrates. Sometimes, millets are cultivated for fodder. However, both rice and millets are cereal grains. Thus, the main difference between rice and millet is their nutritional value and importance. 

References:

1. “Rice.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 31 Jan. 2019, Available Here.
2. Singh, Pooja. “Why Should We Eat Millets.” Https://Www.livemint.com, 26 June 2017, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Oryza sativa of Kadavoor” By © 2009 Jee & Rani Nature Photography (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “Finger millet 3 11-21-02” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia