ChingTam Chakhao - Black Aromatic Rice, 500 g

Once upon a time, black rice was known as forbidden rice in China. It was a much-treasured commodity in ancient China as it was grown in a limited quantity, and owing to its superior quality. The Chinese royalty and nobility would seize every grain of this crop, and banned the common folks from consuming it. That’s how it was coined as forbidden rice or emperor's rice. In Manipur, black rice is known as ChakHao (Tasty Rice) and is mostly eaten as kheer or with Madhurjan (gram flour fritters in sweet milk). It is a healthy option compared to other rice. Once cooked, it becomes sticky because of a higher percentage of amylopectin present in it. Also, its colour changes after cooking, from black to dark purple depending on the type of black rice. Chak-hao is well known for its attractive colour and aromatic flavour and is considered as one of the richest sources of anthocyanin found among food grain products apart from its optimal content of vitamins, minerals, fibre, proteins. The uniqueness of the black aromatic rice of Manipur is its pleasant aroma coupled with stickiness which is not common in other black rice grown in other parts of the world. Having realised the inherent unique properties, the good scope for commercial cultivation and value addition of its products for a profitable agro-business has already been envisioned with its gaining importance and demands from around the globe. It is considered to be a rice variety with a higher vitamin and mineral content than both white and brown rice. Black aromatic rice owes its colour to powerful natural black colouring pigments called anthocyanins which boast an impressive antioxidant activity adding to the health benefits of the rice variety. In addition to being a good source of vitamin E, fibre and protein, black rice is shown to reduce inflammation levels in the body. According to findings of the research, black rice consumption contributes to the prevention and management of ailments such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, arthritis, allergies, ageing signs and even cancer.