The Magic of Black Rice: New Superfood
By anglnwu
Black Rice, the New Superfood
I never fully appreciate the magic of black rice until I stumbled upon an article praising the nutritional value of this once “forbidden rice.” Forbidden rice? I never knew that. Growing up, my mother would conveniently (we were poor and black rice is rather inexpensive in Singapore) make a big pot of sweet black rice (resembling black congee) for our mid-day snack. It was always served with generous drizzling of thick coconut milk, with a little salt added. Since, it’s almost a kitchen fixture, like the stove has sprouted a permanent pot of black rice, I didn’t appreciate it at all. I longed for ice-cream, lollipops and crackers. Anything but this black gooey dessert.
Of course, mom was right. You hear that often, but it bears repeating. They always are, on hindsight. As I read the article, I wonder at my mom’s nutritional intuition. How did she know, given that it took years to come to this scientific conclusion? Maybe, she did. In Chinese herbal medicine, black rice is often recommended as a tonic. It is believed to strengthen health and promote longevity, which explained its other alias: “longevity rice,” and “tribute rice” and it was reserved exclusively for emperors.
Once for the exclusive enjoyment of emperors, we can now find black rice anywhere, particularly in South-east Asia, where black rice is used in many forms: as steamed rice, in stir-fry, in salad and notably in desserts. If you are still new to the darker and more handsome (by way of nutrition) of this species of rice, black rice is quite the “king” of rice” when it comes to nutrition.
What is Black Rice?
Black rice is obviously named because of its black appearance. Sometimes, it’s also called purple rice because of its deep purple color when cooked. Its deep hue is due to a powerful group of antioxidants, called anthocyanins, the pigment that is responsible for the stunning colors of fruits and vegetables. To heap more accolades, black rice is also whole-grain and gluten free.
Black rice is a long-grain rice whereas black glutinous rice is short-grain.
 | Amazon Price: $7.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $20.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $50.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $24.83 List Price: $32.28 |
Health Benefits
-
More Antioxidants
Blueberries have basked too long in the antioxidants' limelight. Now, a new champion has been crowned. According to Zhimin Xu, an associate professor at the Department of Food Science at Louisiana State University, “Just a spoonful of black rice bran (or 10 spoons of cooked black rice) contains more health promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but with less sugar, and more fiber and vitamin E antioxidants.”
As have been pointed out in many health reports, anthocyanins protect against damaging free radicals that give rise to cancer, aging and cardiovascular diseases, amongst others.
-
Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is often the cause behind a number of body ailments, including allergies, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and even aging. In a study published in the American Chemical’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers found that mice fed with a diet supplemented with 10 percent black rice bran significantly reduced inflammation of the ear skin compared to mice fed on standard diet or ones supplemented with 10 percent brown rice bran.
The study also found that black rice bran inhibits the release of histamine, a chemical that triggers inflammation. Black rice bran consumption can alleviate allergic dermatitis symptoms, such as swelling. Allergy and asthma sufferers may find relief by including black rice in their diet.
How to Make Basic Black Rice
You, too, can tap the magic of black rice by including black rice in your diet. The Louisiana researchers think that you don’t even have to consume large quantities of black rice to reap its benefits. Just one spoonful of black rice, mixed in your food can make a difference.
But given the fact that black rice is nutty and more interesting in flavor than white rice or even brown, you may not have to be arm-twisted to just eat a spoonful.
Here’s how to make basic black rice:
- 1 cup black rice
- 2 cups water
Directions:
- Soak black rice in enough water to cover for at least 4 hours. You can also soak it overnight.
- Drain rice. Place rice in non-stick saucepan and add 2 cups of water
- Bring it to a boil and lower heat. Allow to simmer for about 40 minutes.
- You can also use a rice steamer and steam rice until cooked, about 40 minutes or until tender.
- Fluff rice and serve with your favorite meat or vegetables dishes.
More Black Rice Dessert Ideas:
 | Amazon Price: $7.45 |
 | Amazon Price: $24.93 |
 | Amazon Price: $14.05 |
 | Amazon Price: $84.28 List Price: $90.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $1.34 |
 | Amazon Price: $7.69 List Price: $9.99 |
How to Make My Mom’s Sweet Black Rice Dessert aka Pulut Hitam (in Singapore and Malaysia)
You make this dessert like you would make congee or porridge. Boil until tender and soupy like.
- 1 cup black rice
- 6 to 7 cups of water
- ¼ cup sugar or Gula Malaka (sugar made from sap of sugar palm)
- A few drops of pandan essence/extract or better yet, fresh pandan leaf (screwpine leaves) readily available in Asia.
- A small bowl of coconut milk, lightly seasoned with a sprinkling of salt.
Directions
- Rinse black rice and soak for at least1 hour.
- Put black rice in a deep pot, add water and bring to a boil.
- Lower heat and simmer until tender.
- Add sugar and pandan essence/extract
Serve warm, at room-temperature or chilled. Just before serving, add a tablespoon or two of coconut milk. Stir in thoroughly and enjoy.
There are variations to this black rice dessert. It is also often cooked with red beans, lotus seeds, dates or dried longans for medicinal value.
Black rice: Promotes the flow of Qi (life-force in the body)
Red Beans (aka aduki beans or hong dou—Chinese translation of red bean): reduces swelling caused by accumulation of water, promote diuresis, clears heat, damp-heat, eliminates toxins.
Lotus Seeds: classified as an astringent, benefiting the spleen, kidney and heart.
Dates: nourish blood and spleen, promoting sleep and mental clarity
Dried Logans: add luster to skin, helps to detoxify and protect the liver
Recipe for using black rice, longans and dates:
Recipe: Nourishing Beauty with Sweet Rice Congee
Where Can You Find Black Rice?
Since the promising reports on the health benefits of black rice, the Louisiana University researchers have suggested that food manufacturers consider using black rice in the making of cereals, cakes, cookies, and drinks to boost nutrient levels.
But why wait? You can easily find black rice in Asian markets or buy it online (as always). Opt for whole-grain black rice as its outermost layer or bran holds the key to the above-mentioned health benefits.
Comments
Angiwu, I never heard of black rice but I am interested in trying it. I plan to try it since it is so good for you. Thanks for the information.
I love black rice. I always found it more delicious than white rice especially if it's newly harvested. I grew up with a grandmother who exchanged our white rice with black rice or red rice all the time. She must have known about the nutritional value of black and red rice then. Now it's so hard to find black rice in the market.
Thanks for bringing back happy memories about my grandmother and black rice.
Thank you for very useful information. I have seen black rice but never known its nutrition. Thanks again :)
I didn't know about black rice before. Thanks for writing hub on black rice.I love white rice so i will have to try black rice.
Nice article, more detailed info about black rice benefits and black rice recipes can be found visiting www.blackrice.com website.
Hmm... I like this sweet black rice dessert, but never knew it has so much health benefits. :) Great info !
I wonder why it is also called forbidden rice ? I never knew that before too.
I did not know about black rice before but now I absolutely must try it!
Pamela Red ( i've 2 good friends name Pamela,as you can see above), thanks for being the first to comment. Yes, you can easily find them in the Asian market.
Thanks, Pamela, for commenting. Yes, try it and let me know how you like it.
I agree with you, Jill, black rice is more flavorful and it has nutty crunch to it. Sometimes, I mix it with white glutinous rice and then steam it. Your grandmother had it going. I wonder why it's hard to find black rice in the Philippines, as it's very easy to find them in Singapore.Again, appreciate your visit very much.
Thanks, Ladda Bonnee, for the visit.
Thanks, Tom, for commenting.
Thanks, Ingeneira, for visiting. Knowing that you're familiar with foods from Singapore, I appreciate the visit even more. It's called forbidden rice, because commoners are not allowed to eat it at that time (during the Mind dynasty). Haha, now, we're promoted to royalty.
Thanks, fucsia, for dropping by. Yes, try it --you'll love it.
Thanks, Katrinasui, for coming by. Enjoy your black rice.
I grew up eating sweet black rice, too! I like its texture a lot. My grandma usually cooked it with sweet coconut milk and topped it with either pandan custard or sweet coconut flakes.
First, you are soooo right - our wonderful mother's were right.
I recently got to know black rice here in NYC - it's the ideal place to eat because everyone lives here and as a result I have access to all sorts of wonderful foods from all over the world. My son and Daughter-In-Law took me to a Japanese restaurant and both ordered the black rice - which was kind of purple - just amazing. They knew about it before me.
I have to get some. Thanks for the hub. I will bookmark and share with my cousin who recently asked me if I had ever heard of black rice. Your hub covers it all.
Thanks a million and as always rated up. Yay!
Great Hub! I have never heard or seen this rice but I consulted my wife who was born in Srok Khmer (Cambodia) and she is familiar with it. I can't wait to try it! Thanks for the Hub!
Om, your grandmother and my mother would make very good friends. The pandan custard sounds delicious. Thanks for dropping by.
BKcreative, good to see u again. I think black rice became even more popular after the nutritional report that just came out October of last year. I love black rice, in fact, I just had some. I love to cook it with some white glutinous rice--that way, it's smoother and it has a marbled effect--purple with white and all the shades in between. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks, J.S. Matthew for commenting. Black rice is commonly used in SE Asia. I'm sure your wife can make you some really good dessert with that. Enjoy.
And super it is - not only do I like the way it looks - mixed with a little white rice - it's excellent.
Great hub - you've covered it all. Thank you and rated up!
Thanks again, Listlady, I always appreciate your visit and your kind comments.
I haven't seen this type of rice before - not even in our supermarkets...
Thanks for the interesting read. If I see it, I will try your Recipe. :)
Lady E, you can probably find black rice in the Asian supermarkets. Thanks for reading and commenting.
We have an isle with Asian food in our grocery store. I am going to check if they have black rice.
Thank you for a great idea!!!!!!
I would like to try some of this black rice. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of black rice -- didn't know there was such a thing.
Good to see u again, Vera. Check it out and let me know if you can find it. Thanks for your comments.
Thanks, treasuresofheaven, black rice is heavenly. Try it.
Thanks for sharing this info! I'm looking forward to trying it soon...maybe making it a staple since the benefits are so many!
Yay, Rtalloni, good for you. Thanks for dropping by.
I heard many times about the benefit of black rice. I am glad to know this from you, me friend. Thanks for writing this. I learn much from you. Vote up. God bless you.
Prasetio
I once came across a documentary about black rice, never eaten the stuff though.
Your article was very informative. Thank you.
Great article. Very informative!!! Thank you for such a wonderful Hub.
Thanks, Prasetio, for the encouraging comments. Enjoy your day.
Qudsia, thanks for commenting. Try it sometime.
Thanks, mecheshier, for dropping by to comment.
I didn't find black rice on our local grocery store. They had wild rise that was black, but it didn't look like black rice on your picture. I am going to check other stores in the area.
Good to see u again, Vera. See if you can find it in the Asian stores. If not, let me know--I can always send u some. They may also be called Black Glutinous rice. Good luck and thanks for dropping by.
I will buy at the Asian store here angel, I saw it there! Maita
Maita, good to see u here. I got mine at the Asian store too. Enjoy.
I suffer from allergies and so I'm very interested in this food's anti-inflammatory properties. I'll be looking for this at an Asian store in a nearby city.
Thanks, Kay, for commenting. You will find it in the Asian stores with the name "Black Glutinous Rice."
Thanks for the great cooking tips on the magic of black rice the new superfood. I appreciate this information on black rice as we enjoy rice and look forward to using black rice more and more. :) Katie
thanks, katie, I always like you when you drop by to comment. You will like it--it's nutty and so healthy.
Hello sister. I am on it. I am going to have great skin and great mind thanks to your hubs of love. Who would have thought. I am so grateful I have a food health sister at the hubs of love. Castor oil still working fantastic. Too bad we do not all use Gods wonderful gifts of nature for all our ailments. I am so thankful I was led to your hubs. I love ya. You keep on sharing and shining that light of yours. Hugs Galore. Many Blessings my friend.
Hi Anginwu :0)
Thank you great information:0)
We just recently went on a veggie diet and I suffer from summer allergies...there is a huge asian market here in Portland..so guess what I`m buying today!!!
Thanks again Mike :0)
Good to see u here, Skye. Glad castor oil is still working fine and now, a superfood to add to our bags of healthy living. Hugs and blessings to you too.
Thanks, mikeq, for your comments. You'll find it in the Asian market--glad u have one nearby:)
I just bought five pounds of black rice, I love it, we eat it all the time being Vegan. I am excited to try your Mom's Sweet Black Rice Dessert aka Pulut Hitam, we have some amazing Asian grocery shoppes here in Ohio, I'll be picking up some Gula Malaka and pandan essence/extract tomorrow. Thanks :) Katie
katie, you're so adventurous and totally cool because of that. Hope your pulut hitam turns out good and send some over. By the way, my husband grew up in Ohio and my daughter went to BalletMet for a summer ballet intensive 2 years ago. Should have know you then. Thanks again!
Revisiting this hub to let you know that I have linked it to mine on black rice. Please let me know if you have any objection. Thanks again for introducing me to black rice!
RTalloni, more than pleased that you're doing that. Thank you very much.
Thanks for the useful information. I've seen black rice but have never tried it. I love porridge so I might try to make it using black rice :)
happypuppy, glad u find it useful. GIve it a try.
Pamela N Red 16 months ago
Great information. I've seen it at the Asian market but haven't tried it yet. I love white and brown rice so I'll have to try this one.