Brown Rice Spring Roll Wrappers (Bánh Tráng) by Star Anise Foods in San Francisco

[Melanie Wong]

Recently a Vietnamese friend gave us some homemade goi cuon (fresh rolls). I was surprised by the tan color of the rice paper wrappers. The banh trang (rice paper discs) are made with brown rice by Star Anise Foods in San Francisco and sold at Whole Foods in Northern California and New York or via the company’s website.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/8406503374/

These wrappers actually have FLAVOR instead of just being a vessel. They taste a little nutty and the texture is slightly firmer and more elastic than the white rice variety. They may also be more nutritious. I liked them quite a bit and will seek them out when I roll my own.

Star Anise Foods
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Star-A...

[BLD]

In case you can't find it a Whole Foods, the wrappers are also available from Amazon--though you have to buy them in packs of 6!

http://www.amazon.com/Vietnamese-Brow...

[NapaSpy]

Thx, BLD.

WF in Napa is listed on the Star Anise website. Guess I'll have to be more assertive in my inquiries the next time I go there!

[NapaSpy]

Thanks, Melanie! I went to WF in Napa, but they did not carry it. This is definitely worth investigating!

[Melanie Wong]

Please keep us posted on where you locate them and how they work for you. My friend is more adept at rolling fresh rolls than I am, and I wonder if some of the superior elasticity and texture might be due in part to her skill in moistening and handling.

[NapaSpy]

Yes, I will, Melanie.

Alas, the tightly packed rolls come from practice.

[Radical347]

Thanks for alerting me to these! I'll check them out for sure.

[Melanie Wong]

The company also makes brown rice noodles, if you want to make pho at home. But I've not tried them myself.