Black Rice 1kg

Dhatu Organic Black Rice — The Forbidden Grain, Now Available to All

For over a thousand years, black rice was banned from common consumption in ancient China — reserved exclusively for the Emperor and his family, who believed it conferred extraordinary health and longevity. This is how it earned its name: Forbidden Rice. Modern nutritional science has confirmed what the ancients observed: black rice is among the most antioxidant-dense foods on earth, with anthocyanin levels that rival blueberries — the current gold standard for antioxidant foods.

Dhatu's Organic Black Rice is sourced from traditional growing regions in India — related to the famed Chakhao rice of Manipur and the Kavuni Arisi of Tamil Nadu — and delivered completely unpolished to preserve every milligram of its remarkable nutrient content.

The Anthocyanin Superpower

The deep purple-black colour of black rice comes from anthocyanins — the most powerful class of plant antioxidants. Anthocyanins are the same pigments found in blueberries, blackberries, purple cabbage and red wine. They:

• Neutralise free radicals — reducing cellular oxidative damage associated with ageing and chronic disease
• Reduce inflammation — anthocyanins inhibit COX-2 enzymes, the same target as ibuprofen, without side effects
• Support cardiovascular health — improve arterial elasticity and reduce LDL oxidation
• Protect brain cells — cross the blood-brain barrier and reduce neuroinflammation
• Support liver detoxification
• May reduce cancer cell proliferation — preliminary research shows anthocyanins inhibit certain tumour growth pathways

Complete Nutritional Profile

• Single ingredient: Organic Black Rice (Unpolished)
• 9g protein per 100g — the highest protein content of any rice variety
• 4g dietary fibre per 100g — supports digestive health and beneficial gut bacteria
• Anthocyanin content: 3–5g per 100g — comparable to blueberries by weight
• Low glycaemic index — whole grain structure slows starch digestion
• Rich in iron, zinc and magnesium — the bran layer retains these minerals lost in polishing
• Vitamin E — present in the germ, rarely found in other rice varieties
• Completely gluten-free — safe for coeliac disease

Black Rice vs. Other "Superfood" Grains

Black rice provides more antioxidants per serving than blueberries (gram for gram), more protein than brown rice, more fibre than white rice, and more anthocyanins than any other commonly available grain. It is simultaneously a whole grain, a high-antioxidant food and a good plant protein source — a combination very few foods offer.

Taste & Culinary Character

Black rice has a rich, nutty flavour with a hint of natural sweetness and a deep earthy complexity. When cooked, it turns a dramatic deep purple-black. The cooked grain is slightly sticky, with a tender-chewy texture. Cooking water turns purple — nutritious and perfectly normal. Use this "black rice water" in soups or sauces rather than discarding it.

How to Cook

Rinse 2–3 times. Soak 30–60 minutes for best texture. Cook at 1:2 rice:water ratio. Bring to boil, simmer covered for 35–40 minutes. Rest 10 minutes. Note: Black rice will colour everything it contacts — this is anthocyanin dye and is harmless. Use a dark-coloured pot or expect some staining.

Serving Ideas

Black rice congee with ginger and spring onion · Black rice pudding with coconut milk and palm sugar (traditional Southeast Asian dessert) · Mixed with brown or red rice for a "three-colour" grain bowl · As the base for Buddha bowls · Stuffed in bell peppers or aubergines · Black rice kheer — a stunning Indian dessert · Paired with avocado, mango and lime for a superfood salad bowl

About Dhatu Organics

Dhatu sources organic black rice from farmers maintaining traditional seed varieties in India's northeast and south. Each batch is cleaned and graded without chemical treatment, preserving the anthocyanin-rich bran that gives black rice its extraordinary properties.