Black rice belong to the species Oryza sativa. It has a different texture and sometimes turns purple on cooking. It contains high fiber, iron, protein, and antioxidants. It contains about 200 calories per 1/3 cup of black rice. Its falvours depends of varieties and in general it has nutty flavour, very close to brown rice. As has already been pointed out, it contains highest antioxidant and exceeds other rice type in terms of protein contents. It has the capability to improve eye and takes care of the heart. It acts against cancer and led to weight loss. In order to cook add two cups of water to every one cup of black rice for 45 minutes after soaking for hours. It is suggested not to cook un-soaked black rice as this might not give you proper result.

It is grown mostly in Assam region of Northeast India as the soil found to be the best for this kind of rice. Assam happens to be the pioneer of black rice but it is grown in less quantity for want of market. However, these days black rice is also grown in some parts of central India.