I was recently at a shiur where this came up briefly and somewhat tangentially. Does anyone know which groups forbid rice but allow other kitniyot (e.g., beans) during Pesach? Any references/pointers to the halakhic literature and the reasoning here for this would be appreciated.
A related, but less specific question, was posed here.
The Jews of Bagdad and Morocco stayed away from rice because they were afraid that it was mixed with wheat.
I am a Jew of Spanish Morrocan ancestry - my father always told me that Moroccons and actal Spanish Jews never ate kitniyot including rice itself unless they were fresh and green - the reason -Spain was close to Ashkenaz and the gzeira of kitniyot crossed the border and true Sepharadic Jews (Spanish as opposed to Jews of Arab lands) accepted the gzeira, as did Jews of Spanish Morrocco.
Turkish Jews and also some of the Balkan communities do not eat rice or other kidniyot. As well, certain other products, such as fresh cheese, were avoided; but more products are being produced now in Israel so are edible. But the minhag of not eating kidniyot continues for most Turkish Jews.
