black rice

noun

1

: a purplish-black cultivated rice originating in Asia that has a high anthocyanin content

… this grain is labeled as black rice in stores. But during the cooking process, the color changes to purple because of the presence of anthocyanins, the same pigments found in blueberries, blackberries and other purple-colored produce.

—Bethany Thayer

Black rice is also called "forbidden rice." It was given this name because in ancient China, it was rarer than white rice and reserved for royalty.

—Liz Faul

called also forbidden rice, purple rice

2

: white rice that has been colored black (as with the ink of a squid)

… one of the Algarve's best fish restaurants is here, with jaunty blue and white interior and specialties that include black rice with cuttlefish ink.

—Mary Lussiana

Word History

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1