Buying the Right Rice In Malaysia

Rice is huge in Asia. Duh. We showed you the tough selection in Kota Bharu, in peninsular Malaysia. What you got, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo?

Ooh, an attractive woman, welcoming you to the wonderful world of rice. That's hard to resist.

Playing up tradition is always smart marketing. How about the classic Malaysian kite, wau bulan? Or a little classic Sabah wear?

Nature is big in Borneo and no plant is more famous than the lovely rafflesia flower.

Animals get the rice bags moving, right? Who's going to pass up a panda? Big fish? Maybe it's a "goes well with" temptation.

From where does this rice come anyway? Problem solved, show it on your bag! Hmm, maybe rice becomes too much of a guilty pleasure?

Maybe there's something to the rice being part of a bigger meal. A bag for vegans. Basmati rice packaging has its own rules. Maybe one rule, show the Taj mahal.

Ready to commit? See the rice seller, she's sold it all.

Out In The Sticks Of Indonesia

What's nice about visiting the Borobudur temple in Indonesia is the chance to stay nearby in its rural location. After the tourist crush at the landmark, some time to relax among the locals and rice paddies.

Boys river swimming.

Rice paddy living. Yes, we stayed in that structure planted among the rice.

Wearing the Union Jack with the sun setting over the rice.

What passes for a road through the rice crop. Play time means hitting the volleyball court.

Another beautiful, stormy day ends in Southeast Asia.

The Art Of Rice

Everyone would agree that rice is a basic commodity, especially in Asia. If what's in the package is the same, then your only chance of snagging new customers is to have the outside be better than your competitor's product.

Behold the rice packaging label wars!

What works? Can't go wrong with animals, everyone thinks about good rice when watching a nature documentary. Evidently, birds mean good rice.

Or go big and regal. Gajah is elephant in Malay.

Or go all in on cute.

Rice seller at the central market in Kota Bharu.

Done with animals? Let's go with fruit.

Now we're really branching out, identifying with a country and its patriotism. Not sure the United States means excellent rice, especially since this rice comes from Thailand. It's all about the marketing.