What is it?

Known as “forbidden” rice because it was originally served only to the emperors of ancient China and forbidden to their subjects, this unmilled, medium-grain rice comes from northern China’s Zhejiang province.

Chinese black rice is an incredibly nutritious rice, high in fiber, antioxidants, iron, vitamins, and minerals. It has a tender, slightly chewy texture and subtle sweetness with notes of chocolate make it a good choice for both sweet and savory dishes.

It gets its deep black-purple color and slight sheen from its bran layer; the interior of the grain is white. It cooks relatively quickly for an unmilled rice.

Don’t have it?

Substitute medium-grain brown rice.

How to store:

Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

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Recipes

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  Recipe

  Asparagus, Snap Pea, and Black Rice Salad with Gochujang Dressing

  This vegetarian Asian-style salad packs a spicy punch. Smoked tofu adds an intriguing undertone, but baked tofu works great, too. Use a julienne peeler to make fast work of prepping…

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  Recipe

  Black Rice and Pistachio Salad

  Pistachios underscore the subtle sweetness of black rice. Known as “forbidden” rice because it was originally reserved for the emperors of ancient China, black rice has a tender, slightly chewy…

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  Recipe

  Black Rice Salad with Sugar Snap Peas and Avocado

  This rice salad has it all in looks, flavor, and texture: creamy avocado, crunchy sugar snap peas, a vibrant lime dressing, and gorgeous chewy yet tender grains of glossy black…

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  Recipe

  Vegetable Curry and Black Rice

  This is an American adaptation of the different spice blends of curry in India. You can jazz it up with black rice.