If you’ve eaten white rice for most of your life, switching to a healthy alternative like black rice can be reasonably daunting.
To determine whether black rice will work for your diet and lifestyle, you have to know what black rice tastes like. I looked into it, and here’s what I found!
What Does Black Rice Taste Like?
Since the bran of black rice is intact, black rice naturally has a nutty flavor that is reminiscent of brown rice. Nonetheless, the specific nuances of black rice depend on where the black rice is sourced. Generally, Chinese black rice is mildly fruity and floral, while Korean black rice has a balanced sweet and earthy taste.
In case you’re curious to learn more about what the different types of black rice taste like and how black rice compares to other types of rice, keep reading!
Does Black Rice Taste Good?
Black rice has a thicker texture and a richer flavor than other rice variants. Nonetheless, black rice is still neutral enough to complement a wide variety of dishes.
If you’re used to eating red and brown rice, there’s a bigger chance of you liking the taste of black rice. However, if you only eat white rice, you might find black rice slightly unappetizing.
Nonetheless, the consensus is that black rice tastes good, especially when paired with the right types of food.
Is Black Rice Chewy?
Since black rice doesn’t undergo refining, the grains still have the bran intact. As such, the grains are denser and chewier than white rice.
Some black rice varieties can be chewier than red and brown rice, while other variants share the same texture and mouthfeel as red and brown rice.
What Is The Texture Of Black Rice?
Raw black rice has a similar texture to sticky rice. When cooked black rice tends to be thick and gummy, but not so much that the rice sticks together.
Additionally, black rice that is undercooked or has been cooked in too little water turns out hard and difficult to chew.
However, when soaked for at least half an hour before cooking, black rice tends to be softer while still maintaining a chewy quality.
Does Black Rice Taste Different?
Black rice comes in a lot of varieties, and while all the variants share the same nutty and chewy qualities, they can have differences in notes and aftertaste.
Additionally, black rice tends to have a bolder flavor and texture than red, brown, and white rice.
Does Black Rice Taste Different Than White Rice?
Black rice isn’t as neutral-tasting as white rice. While white rice can also come with sweet and floral tastes, these flavors are often too subtle to be noticeable.
Furthermore, white rice is soft and fluffy and can easily absorb the flavors of whatever food you pair with white rice.
In comparison, black rice can be thick, chewy, and mildly rough, depending on how the black rice is prepared. Moreover, black rice doesn’t absorb flavor the same way white rice does.
What Does Forbidden Black Rice Taste Like?
Forbidden black rice is the same as black rice, and while all black rice has an earthy flavor, the exact taste of the black rice depends on the specific variety the black rice belongs to.
Does Black Rice Taste Like Wild Rice?
Black rice and wild rice are both denser and chewier than other rice variants. However, black rice and wild rice do not taste the same.
In fact, wild rice is not a grain, but the seed of aquatic grass. Naturally, wild rice has a grassy flavor. Additionally, wild rice develops a smoky aroma when processed.
In comparison, black rice has an earthier taste and aroma that tends to be bolder and richer than wild rice.
Is Black Rice Supposed To Be Chewy?
Black rice is naturally chewy because, unlike white rice, black rice is not refined. This means the bran keeps the grain thick and prevents the black rice from being as soft as white rice.
However, the chewiness of black rice differs depending on the specific variety of black rice and how you cook the black rice.
Is Black Rice Better Than Red Rice?
Generally, both black rice and red rice have a nutty flavor. Nonetheless, red rice has a subtle sweetness that is more noticeable than any sweet taste black rice variants may have.
Consequently, red rice is more suitable with certain dishes compared to black rice and vice versa. Ultimately, whether black rice is better than red rice depends on personal preference.
What Does Thai Black Rice Taste Like?
Thai black rice has a nutty flavor that can be attributed to the outer husk of the grain. Mid-palate, once the black rice has been chewed, you’ll begin to taste a subtle sweetness.
What Does Korean Black Rice Taste Like?
Korean cuisine has two types of black rice, which people also refer to as purple rice.
First, there’s the Chal-heukmi or the Black Sweet Rice that has a mild sweetness and nuttiness to it.
Second, there’s Heukmi, the plain counterpart of Chal-heukmi that isn’t sweet or sticky and has a blandness that makes Heukmi more similar to brown rice.
What Does Black Rice Salad Taste Like?
There is no one specific taste for black rice salad since black rice salad tastes different depending on the recipe used.
If you’re using a generic recipe with minced garlic, chili garlic sauce, salt, honey, and rice vinegar, you’ll get a black rice salad that has a balanced sweetness, saltiness, and sourness.
Additionally, the specific vegetables you use will influence the predominant taste in the salad.
Moreover, if you choose to finish with a salad dressing, then the black rice’s natural flavor might not be so noticeable anymore.
Take a look at our other articles to learn what brown rice tastes like, what fried rice tastes like, and what long-grain rice tastes like.
Conclusion
Black rice, also known as purple rice or forbidden rice, is often sold without undergoing any refining. As such, the black rice retains its natural earthy flavor.
While black rice may have a denser and bolder nutty flavor than other types of unrefined rice, black rice actually tastes similar to brown rice when thoroughly cooked.