Black Rice Recipe (Forbidden Rice) - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

Black Rice Recipe (Forbidden Rice) - A Spicy Perspective? ›

Add the appropriate amount of water as directed on the rice package (from 3-4 cups depending on the variety of rice.) Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, cover, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir, lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until cooked through—follow time directed on rice package.

Black rice (also known as forbidden black rice or emperor's rice) is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It was once reserved only for the wealthy and powerful to ensure their health and long life. No one else was allowed to eat it.

Being rich in fibre, black rice might lead to problems like gas and abdominal pain if consumed in excess.

Black rice, which often turns dark purple once cooked, has a mild, nutty taste similar to brown rice. Also referred to as "forbidden rice," it's a great source of iron, vitamins and antioxidants.

Black rice contains a lot of fibre, which the body digests gradually. As a result, the gradual release of glucose into the blood helps avoid any unexpected rises in blood sugar levels. Fibre helps you consume fewer calories by prolonging your sensation of fullness. This lessens the risk of diabetes by reducing obesity.

Forbidden rice is also known as imperial rice, heaven rice and king's rice. In ancient China, this exquisite ingredient was exclusive to the emperors, who ate it for longevity and good health. It was forbidden to all but the most wealthy and powerful people, thus its name.

Eating black rice can give you a worthwhile boost on your heart health and overall fitness. Along with protective anthocyanins, black rice contains high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids known for their role in supporting eye health.

Black rice has been known for its many beneficial effects to our body because it contains several chemical compounds that act as anti-inflammatory agents.

“While black rice is highly nutritious, rather than eating it daily, it's best to rotate it with other whole grain options for more dietary variety and to reduce your intake of arsenic [which is found in most types of rice],” says Chatfield.

The fiber content of black rice isn't only beneficial for heart health, but also for digestive health. An increasing amount of research has revealed that our gut microbiome—the diverse community of microorganisms in our digestive tract—also influences our brain health, immune health, and metabolic health.

Why black rice banned in China? ›

In ancient China, black rice was considered so superior and rare, it was reserved exclusively for the emperor and royalty.

However, home chefs can control the texture of their grains. By soaking black rice 30 minutes before cooking, you'll end up with a more tender and moist texture.

Note: There are conflicting views on rinsing black rice. Some say that rinsing it gets rid of all its nutrients, and others say that you should rinse it to get rid of any excess starch. It's totally up to you. I've made it both ways, rinsing and not rinsing it, and it still cooks up perfectly and tastes.

Black rice may be a good addition to a diabetic diet, but it is advised that you consult your nutritionist or dietitian to know the exact amount of black rice that you can safely include in your daily meals.

Definitely, Quinoa is healthier than rice. Although they provides same calories but quinoa has lesser amount of carbs as compare to rice. Quinoa is also rich in dietary fibre and other nutrients like proteins, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc as compared to rice.

Black brown rice is a healthy food that is both nutritious and helps to lose weight because of its high fiber content, creating a feeling of fullness and fat metabolism, releasing excess fat in the body.

Black rice is known as chak-hao in Manipur, India and as “kavuni arisi” or “kavuni rice” in Tamil Nadu, India. In Bangladesh, it is known as kalo dhaner chaal (black paddy rice) and used to make polao or rice-based desserts.

Similar to black rice, red rice, or Oryza rufipogon, is a medium or long grain variety coloured by its anthocyanin content. Interestingly, it is considered an edible weed growing alongside other rice varieties and primarily grown in Asia as well as Northern Australia.

“While black rice is highly nutritious, rather than eating it daily, it's best to rotate it with other whole grain options for more dietary variety and to reduce your intake of arsenic [which is found in most types of rice],” says Chatfield.

Also called forbidden or purple rice, black rice is a type of rice that belongs to the Oryza sativa L. species ( 1 ). Black rice gets its signature black-purple color from a pigment called anthocyanin, which has potent antioxidant properties ( 2 ).