18 Black Rice Recipes That Will Make You Crave the *Forbidden* Grain (2024)

FAQs

Why is black rice forbidden rice? ›

Why is black rice called 'forbidden' rice? 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.

You don't need to rinse black rice before cooking it; doing so might wash away some of its nutrients. In a large, heavy saucepan, combine 1 cup black rice, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 cups water (less for chewier grains; more for a slightly softer texture). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

When they went to the market to buy some, they learned that black rice is called hei mei in Chinese, but is also referred to as 'longevity rice' or 'tribute rice', because according to legend in the Sung and Tang Dynasties (about 900 CE) it was reserved for the emperors to ensure their good health and long life.

Being rich in fibre, black rice might lead to problems like gas and abdominal pain if consumed in excess. Therefore, the elderly should stick to moderate food amounts.

“Black rice is rich in nutrients and is higher in fiber, protein and iron than both white rice and brown rice,” says Chicago nutritionist Sara Chatfield, RDN. All that fiber as another benefit: It can help you feel full.

Brown rice also is richer in nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins compared with white rice, Nies said. When comparing calories per cup of cooked rice, brown is slightly higher at 248 calories versus 205 for white.

Black rice has a deep black color and usually turns deep purple when cooked. Its dark purple color is primarily due to its anthocyanin content, which is higher by weight than that of other colored grains. It is suitable for creating porridge, dessert, traditional Chinese black rice cake, bread, and noodles.

Forbidden Rice May Promote Heart Health

Forbidden rice is an antioxidant powerhouse, offering up to six times the amount of antioxidants found in brown rice. This dark-colored rice also has more anthocyanins than blueberries, which are well-known for their antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants found in black rice have the potential to burn fats, bad lipids, and triglycerides, which can help you rapidly reduce belly fat. Therefore, consuming food rich in antioxidants is a great way to benefit from the many health advantages, such as weight loss.

Yes, we can eat black rice daily. It offers excellent health benefits and is suitable for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. It is best to be mindful about the portions of black rice to avoid extra calories. Regular consumption of black rice boosts eye, heart, and brain health.

How to eat black rice for weight loss? ›

It is necessary to develop a varied diet that combines a meal of black rice with a moderate amount and many other foods such as vegetables and fruits to lose weight effectively, pay attention to regular exercise and sports.

However, overconsumption of black rice does not lead to severe complications apart from some minor symptoms. The minor side effects of black rice include an upset stomach, gas, or bloating. This generally happens due to the high fibre content present in black rice.

Black rice is not as easy to grow as other rice varieties because it only yields about 10 percent of the harvest that other rice varieties do. That makes the rice very expensive, which is why it was initially reserved only for the richest of the rich—which meant Chinese royalty at the time it was first discovered.

Forbidden® rice is treasured for its delicious roasted nutty taste, soft texture, nutritional content and beautiful deep purple color.

Black rice is that rare trifecta of delicious, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing. This dark-colored rice, which is a deep purple-black, has alternate names including purple rice, forbidden rice, and emperor's rice.

Not all forbidden black rice is the same. There is some variety in the black rice family. There's Indonesian black rice, Thai jasmine black rice, black glutinous rice, and Italian black rice to just name a few.

Black rice, also known as purple rice or forbidden rice, is a range of rice types of the species Oryza sativa, some of which are glutinous rice. There are several varieties of black rice available today.

Black rice, also called forbidden or purple rice, is visually appealing and a nutritional powerhouse with a distinct nutty flavour. Black rice is high in antioxidants, fibre, and essential minerals, so its health benefits extend beyond its culinary appeal.