Brown rice is rice which has just had the husk (the layer convering the outside of the grain) removed, and still has the bran layer and the germ (which are removed in white rice) remaining. It is characterised by a light brown surface and it is this brown part called the "bran layer" which has an abundance of nutrients and dietary fibre. There is a much higher content of Vitamin B, Vitamin E, Calcium and minerals in the rice bran layer and the germ of brown rice than is contained in white rice. These are essential nutrients which people of today tend to lack in their diet.