Germinated brown rice (GBR; Korean: 발아현미(發芽玄米), romanized: bara-hyeonmi, Japanese: 発芽玄米(はつがげんまい), romanized: hatsuga-genmai) is unpolished brown rice that has been allowed to germinate to improve the flavor and texture, and to increase levels of nutrients such as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It has been found that germinated grains in general have nutritional advantages. The rice is used in Japanese and Korean cuisine. Cooked germinated brown rice is softer and less chewy than plain brown rice—it is more acceptable to children in particular—and has additional nutritional advantages.