You’ve probably never heard of black rice, but it is a highly popular rice variety consumed in the north-eastern Indian state of Manipur. It is full of flavor and aroma and packed with nutrients and powerful antioxidants.
Black rice has a sweet and nutty taste. It is unmilled rice, as the black husks of the rice are not removed.
Rice that changes color
Black rice is a sticky variant of rice and also comes with the unique quality of changing colors. While it is harvested, it is black in color but eventually turns purple when cooked! That’s where it gets its name, "Magic Rice."
How is it consumed in Manipur?
People in Manipur consume black rice when it is cooked with coconut milk. It has a unique sweet taste and is very yummy when cooked as "Kheer milk. It has a unique sweet taste and is very yummy when cooked as "Kheer."
Black rice: food and medicine
It is a revered rice in Manipur as it can be used as food and medicine. The rice has a dark color because of the anthocyanins in it. It also has more vitamin B, niacin, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc than normal rice varieties. I
Black rice is uncommon in the present day, as it was used exclusively by the aristocracy in ancient China. Its low yield (about 10 percent) means that it is still rarer than other rice, and the fact that it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years makes this rice unique, even if it is not exclusively for royalty anymore.Cooking black rice takes longer than cooking traditional white rice. Before cooking, the rice has to be rinsed and soaked for nearly three hours to reduce the cooking time while preparing kheer or payas.
Benefits of Eating Black Rice
Black rice is beneficial for your health because:
• It contains anthocyanin which helps in heart and brain health.
• Its Vitamin E helps with eye and skin health as well as the immune system.
• It contains fat- and water-soluble antioxidants that help the body.
• It has more fiber, iron, and protein than brown rice.
• It has a low glycemic index as the sugar is absorbed slowly, thus avoiding spikes in blood sugar levels.
Ways to Cook Black Rice
Depending on the type, the optimal method of cooking black rice varies. For example, black sticky rice should be cooked by steaming. Non-glutinous types should first be soaked, then rinsed in cool water and cooked in a similar manner to brown rice.
Electric rice cooker: To cook black rice in the electric rice cooker, use the brown rice setting, add the amount of water indicated for brown rice, and cook.
Stovetop absorption method: To 1 cup of black rice, add 2 cups of water, and boil on the stove for 1 hour.
Where to Buy Black Rice
You can buy black rice when in the northeastern part of India, where it is grown, or else order it from any e-commerce website.
10 recipes with black rice
1. Pudding of glutinous black rice with coconut ice cream
2. Cake prepared with black rice
3. Chicken soup with black rice
4. A bowl of black rice, sweet potato, and fresh cilantro
5. Risotto made with black rice
6. Breakfast porridge made with black rice and berries
7. A sweet porridge of black rice served with coconut milk and fresh mango
8. Salad of black rice, butternut squash, and green onion
9. Paella made with black rice
10. Chicken fried rice made with black and white rice
Here is a simple recipe for you to try at home with black rice:
Fried Black Rice with Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup black rice
½ cup chicken boiled and cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
¼ cup cut cabbage
½ tablespoon of garlic chopped fine
1 teaspoon of soy sauce
1 teaspoon of tomato sauce
1 teaspoon of chili sauce
¼ cup chopped onion leaks (for garnishing)
1 teaspoon of black pepper
Salt
Direction
Boil the black rice, strain it out, and keep it aside.
In a skillet, add the oil and garlic and fry well on medium heat.
Add the onions, chicken, carrots, and cabbage and fry for 3–4 minutes.
Add the cooked black rice to the vegetable-chicken mixture and fry well for a few minutes.
Add the salt, sauces, and black pepper, and garnish with onion slivers.
Serve hot and enjoy!