Ready to switch to the dark side of rice?
Not only does it taste great and is very satisfying with a mild nutty flavour and chewy texture, black rice has also several amazing health benefits compared to its rice siblings.
Speaking Western medicine, black rice is packed with protein, antioxidants and energy boosting vitamins. Getting its colour from anthocyanin, which has potent antioxidant properties, it has actually 9 g of protein (per 100g) and is 100% a whole grain, containing 8 essential vitamins (including B1, B2, B3 and B6 and minerals. It has a low GI of 42 – compared to brown rice (50) and white rice (89) and has 3 times as much fibre as white rice.
Chinese black rice was also known as Emperor’s Rice and as it was rare it was not considered for the ordinary people, hence its name, FORBIDDEN RICE. In five elements theory we look at colour and taste: Its black colour relates to your kidneys (WATER) and its mild sweetness to your digestive system (Earth). Black rice is therefore believed to tonify the Kidneys, nourish Essence, support Spleen and stomach as well as nourishing the blood. As it supports the blood, it is a great nutritional support in dizziness, anaemia, white hair and weakness of the waist and knees, night blindness and tinnitus.
Here is a recipe for you to try.
- 1 cup Chinese black rice cooked in 2 cups of water for 40 min
- 4 teaspoons coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into half-inch cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
*May add coconut butter or cream.
Stir-fry ginger and sweet potatoes until soft. Add the rice to your sweet potatoes, and let it sit for 10 min. Enjoy!
Recent Comments