Forbidden rice is a short-grained, heirloom rice that is black when raw and dark purple when cooked. The name comes from the legend that it was reserved for emperors in ancient China because of its nutritiousness and rarity. This grain is high in fiber and has a deep, nutty taste. Only a few of the many varieties of potato are commercially grown; others are heirlooms. ... Species Oryza glaberrima Oryza sativa Rice is two species (Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima) of grass, native to tropical and subtropical southern & southeastern Asia and to Africa, which together provide more than one fifth of the calories consumed by humans[1]. (The term wild rice can refer to wild species... The history of China is detailed by historical records dating as far back as 16th century BC. China is one of the worlds oldest continuous civilizations. ... The word grain has several meanings, most being descriptive of a small piece or particle. ...

Forbidden rice has recently appeared on the shelves of health food stores in the Western United States along with other heirloom rices such as Bhutanese Red Rice and Wild rice, particularly in California. It is popular with vegetarians and vegans because it has a favorable nutrition profile. Desire for non-genetically modified foods has also contributed to demand for this rice. Bhutanese red rice is an heirloom rice grown in the Kingdom of Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas. ... Species Zizania aquatica Zizania latifolia Zizania palustris Zizania texana The four species of wild rice comprise the genus Zizania, a group of grasses that grow in shallow water in small lakes and slow-flowing streams. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... For animals adapted to eat primarily plants, sometimes referred to as vegetarian animals, see Herbivore. ... This article is about the dietary lifestyle, Vegan can also mean relating to vega, especially the star Vega, as in astronomical references to the Vegan system, or Science Fiction references to aliens from that system. ... A genetically modified food is a food product developed from a different genetically modified organism (GMO) such as a crop plant, animal or microorganisms, such as yeast. ...

The deep color of black forbidden rice suggests the presence of phytonutrients. It has a relatively high mineral content (including iron) and, like most rice, supplies several important amino acids. Phytochemicals are sometimes referred to as phytonutrients and these terms are often used interchangeably. ... Minerals are natural compounds formed through geological processes. ... General Name, Symbol, Number iron, Fe, 26 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 8, 4, d Appearance lustrous metallic with a grayish tinge Atomic mass 55. ... In chemistry, an amino acid is any molecule that contains both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. ...

Another theory of why forbidden rice was ever forbidden was that when the Greeks took over the Middle East, they had it banned due to the belief that it was being used by their enemies to aid them in battle. But as this is mostly unlikely because black wasn't considered anything special in Chinese Tradition. A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ...

When cooked, "forbidden rice" has the smell of freshly popped popcorn and turns the water that it is boiling in a brilliant purple color.

Reference

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