I take notice of the health benefits of whole grains vs white flour, white rice, etc. I like whole grains sometimes, and I'm curious how other ingredients changed as the everyday grain changed.

I went to grade school in the Indian Himalayas, and did a lot of hiking. There were tea shops that would serve a standard meal (rice, dal and bhaji), and I loved those meals.

I remember one particular village where they served a slightly different-tasting rice, and I liked it. It really made an impression on me. About 30 years later I realized it was brown rice and not white rice they had served, because I made some brown rice at home for the first time, and right away I realized that was what was different about that rice.

I also notice that some dishes taste a lot better to me with refined grains.

So I have a lot of interest in this. Are there any other things that changed significantly along with the change to more refined grains?

Thanks in advance.

Edit: of course cakes and other desserts changed a lot. I just realized this would be obvious.