2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Black rice / Black rice / is a cereal that is domesticated in Asia. For this reason, it is widely used in the cuisine of many countries such as China, Japan and Korea. It is also called purple rice, because of the nuance it acquires after being subjected to heat treatment.
The specific color of the food product is determined by the presence of anthocyanins (pigments) in its composition. The same pigments can be found in blueberries and grapes. Black rice is very valuable not only as an exotic component of dishes, but also as a superfood.
History of black rice
Black rice has a very ancient history. The ancient Chinese called it imperial rice. Ordinary people considered it a forbidden food, as only the emperor and those close to him had the right to eat the dark grains. Strict punishments lurked for any subject who dared to reach for the blessed rice. Those who dared were often called to die.
But why did the rulers insist on being the only ones to consume black rice? According to the beliefs of the time, small black beans can provide longevity and health to the person who eats them. In the past black rice was accepted and as a remedy.
Folk healers recommended it for stomach problems and to stimulate the activity of the adrenal gland. It was also believed to sharpen vision and can be used as an aphrodisiac and as a means of better blood circulation.
Composition of black rice
Black rice it is no coincidence that it was among the favorite foods of the ancients. All its useful properties are due to its rich composition. Black rice is a source of protein, many useful amino acids, vitamin B9 and vitamin E. It also contains minerals such as magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, carotene, fiber and more. In fact, it has four times more fiber than white rice. Black rice is low in sugar and gluten is completely absent.
Cooking black rice
As we found out earlier, black rice is used very often in Asian cooking. However, in order to cook well, some of its features must be taken into account. It should be noted that this type of rice has a firmer shell than the white variety, so its preparation requires pre-soaking. After cleaning and washing the rice, you can leave it in water (which you can then use in the dish) for 7-8 hours, and then move on to its further heat treatment.
If you do not soak the cereal, then not only will you have to cook it for a long time, but there is a high risk of digestive problems. At the same time, well-soaked rice is boiled for about 60 minutes in water (at a ratio of 1: 2) and then easily digested. Cooked rice has a dark purple color, a strong nutty aroma and a subtle sweet taste.
Another feature that should be kept in mind when cooking with it is that it colors every food product with which it is combined. This property makes it a favorite product of experienced chefs. But if you are not looking for such an effect, it is better to replace it with brown rice, which would not give a special shade to the other ingredients in the specialty.
Otherwise black rice is used not only in main dishes, but in salads and side dishes. Combines with all kinds of vegetables and sometimes fruits. Used in various porridges, seafood dishes such as shrimp, mussels, crabs, squid and more. It is very often used in making sushi.
Some of these combinations are not very typical for the Bulgarian taste and would even seem not very tempting. On the other hand, the combination between black rice and coconut milk can certainly be associated with the well-known to our milk with rice.
Benefits of black rice
Black rice arouses the curiosity not only of ancient physicians but also of modern physicians. This is the reason why it is the subject of research in our time. Some recent research suggests that black rice helps prevent various cancers, diabetes, hypertension and other serious diseases. According to American experts, only a small portion of the rice in question contains many more nutrients than blueberries, which maintain a reputation as a superfood.
This type of rice is a source of vitamins and minerals that our body desperately needs to develop properly. All these substances are most needed during the cold months, when we are attacked by all sorts of viruses and the immune system is weakened.
Somewhat black rice is considered more useful than white because it contains less sodium. In addition, it does not contain gluten, which makes it a favorite food for all people who have given up cereals such as wheat, barley and rye because of its gluten intolerance.
Black rice is a preferred food for many other reasons. It is recommended for hair problems, including hair loss and graying. According to Chinese medicine, it supports the activity of the liver and is especially useful for women who have recently given birth. It is also recommended for problems with the kidneys and digestive system.
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Black Rice Is A Superfood
The black variety of rice can reduce inflammation in the body, involved in diseases such as asthma, allergies and others, say scientists from the United States. The husk of the black rice has not been removed, as is the case with brown rice, in order to obtain the most commonly used version of the cereal product.
