Last Updated: Apr 25, 2023 @ 10:23 am.

Black Rice: Tips & Advice

What’s the best black rice? To find out, we tried out 8 different brands of black rice, from sticky rice used in Thai-inspired desserts to so-called forbidden rice grown in China. Here are the ones we liked the best. FYI: We’ve been reviewing and rating products for the home and families since 1994. To keep things independent, we don’t take money or freebies from brands we review! Our work is 100% reader-supported!

What is the best black rice? And what is it anyway? How does it vary from other rice varieties? 

Native to Asia, there are three basic types of black rice: sticky (used in desserts from Thailand), black Japonica (a short grain rice that is quite sticky) and Chinese black rice. The latter is also called forbidden rice and is grown in Northern China.

Here are some tips and advice on shopping for and cooking with black rice:

• It looks black when dry, but then turns more of a dark purple when cooked.

• It tastes much like brown rice—and you cook it much the same way. Black and brown rice both have a nuttier flavor than white rice, in our opinion.

• If you soak it overnight, you can shorten the cooking time.

After trying out several brands, here are the ones we think are the best bets.

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Best Budget Friendly

Nutty, rich taste
Loved this USDA Organic black rice with no preservatives or GMO's. Very tasty, especially in soups. Grown in China.
$6.49 ($0.41 / Ounce)

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Best Forbidden Rice

Loved the texture
This nutty-flavored rice is grown in China and won over our taste-testers with its flavor profile. Yes, it is a bit pricey but worth it, in our opinion.
$8.67 ($0.04 / Ounce)

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Best Black Rice Grown in the USA

Great for salads
This shiny black rice has a light, fruity aroma and is USDA Organic and non-GMO. Loved the slightly chewy texture. Delicious!
$6.73 ($0.42 / Ounce)

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Best Cooked Black Rice

Heats up in 90 seconds
Yes, this fully cooked black rice is ready to eat—and that may make it worth the extra expense. We loved the flavor, which has notes of nuttiness. Grown in Thailand.

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Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do hands-on testing—we buy the products with our own money and evaluate with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!

best black rice

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