black rice: Its Types, benefits, and Cooking Method

One of the rarest types of rice is black rice. Although this type of rice does not look good and pleasant, it is full of antioxidants and very useful. If you want to know more about this rice, stay with us until the end of this article.

What is black rice?

Black rice, also known as purple or forbidden rice, is one of the 20 varieties of Oryza sativa L. This rice is rich in anthocyanin pigment. Anthocyanin is the antioxidant pigment that causes the dark color of eggplant and raspberry.

Black rice is almost always sold as a whole grain, leaving the outermost bran layer intact. In this sense, black rice can be considered brown or unrefined rice.

Black rice looks completely black when raw, but when it is soaked in water or cooked, it turns purple, resulting from the black bran mixing with the endosperm (inner grain). In addition, you should not confuse black rice with wild rice, a type of cereal of the Zizania genus.

Why is black rice also called forbidden rice?

This rice is also known as forbidden rice because black rice was rare in ancient China and reserved for the elite. Of course, due to the low cultivation of this type of rice (10% of other rice), black rice is rarer than other rice. The fact that this type of rice has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years makes this rice unique, even if it is no longer reserved for the nobility.

What does black rice taste like?

The taste of black rice depends on its type, but since it is whole grain, it tastes like brown rice. Of course, Chinese black rice has a mild taste, like sweet fruits.

Nutritional value of black rice

Each half cup of cooked black rice contains these nutrients:

Types of black rice

1. Sticky black rice

This type of rice is long-grained, often mixed with white sticky rice and steamed, and is used in many Thai desserts.

2.Japonica black rice

Japonica black rice (Japonica) combines 25% short-grain black Japonica rice and 75% medium-grain red rice, usually produced in California. This type of rice is ideal for making salads.

3. Chinese black rice

This type of rice is produced in Zhejiang, located in the north of China, and is consumed as puree. The texture of this type of rice is firm and non-sticky, and it prepares faster than brown rice.

What are the benefits of black rice?

Black rice has many health benefits. The antioxidant anthocyanin present in this rice protects body cells from damage. Also, this pigment reduces body inflammation and the possibility of cardiovascular diseases. Black rice has more fiber, iron, and protein than white rice, and its vitamin E benefits the health of the eyes, skin, and immune system.

1. Improve eye health

In addition to anthocyanins, black rice contains large amounts of carotenoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which help strengthen the eyes. These antioxidants protect eye cells and reduce the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.

2. control diabetes

Flavonoids such as anthocyanins inhibit blood sugar and, consequently, diabetes. Vegetarians improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin, and the body can better use available glucose. Also, these vegetarian foods reduce the amount of sugar in the blood by reducing the digestion of sugar in the small intestine.

Like other whole-grain rice, black rice has a low glycemic index. In addition, this type of rice is a more stable energy source than other carbohydrates.

3. Rich in nutrients

Black rice contains amino acids, fatty acids, antioxidants, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other phenolic compounds. Black rice has 18 types of amino acids that are useful for body functions, including the repair of skin tissue and other body tissues. At the same time, this rice increases the body’s energy and, at the same time, improves digestion.

Some of the nutrients in black rice include:

• vitamin E;
• riboflavin (B2);
• Niacin (B3),
• beta-carotene;
• lutein ;
• zeaxanthin;
• Calcium;
• chrome;
• phosphorus;
• iron;
• manganese;
• potassium;
• zinc;
• copper;
• magnesium.

What are the disadvantages of black rice?

Like any other rice, black rice absorbs arsenic in the soil. To reduce arsenic intake, wash rice thoroughly before cooking.

Methods of cooking black rice

The best way to cook black rice is determined by its type. For example, sticky black rice should be steamed. But other types of this rice can be soaked in water first and then drained and cooked like brown rice. In the following, we have introduced three cooking methods.

1. Cooking rice with an electric rice cooker

To cook black rice in an electric rice cooker, select the settings for cooking brown rice.

2. cat method

In this method, you must put the rice in a pot and add 2 cups of water for every cup. Put the pot on the stove with medium heat and wait until the water in the pool is drained. Then, put a lid on the bank and boil the rice for 30 to 60 minutes.

3. drain method

Put the rice in a pot full of water and salt (6 cups of water for each cup of rice) and put it on the heat until the water boils. When the rice kernels are soft, rinse the rice, put it back into the pot, and let it brew for 30 to 60 minutes.

Some great ideas for preparing black rice

1. Black rice with gluten-free grains, sweet potatoes, and fresh cilantro.
2. Black rice porridge with berries puree (for breakfast).
3. Black rice porridge with coconut milk and fresh mango.
4. Black rice with pumpkin and chive salad.
5. A mixture of fried black and white rice.
6. Gluten-free black rice with coconut ice cream. (For people who love food adventure!)
7. Chinese rice cake with black rice.
8. Chicken soup with black rice.

Where can I buy black rice?

You can look for this type of rice at online health food stores. You can find black rice sales centers and prices with a simple search on the Internet. Of course, pay attention to what kind of rice they send you.

last word

When cooked, black rice has a softer texture than any other type of rice. Of course, most of us may like white rice more than any other type of rice, but black rice has much more nutrients. If you have not used this type of rice before, try it and tell us about your experience.