Is purple rice black rice? How to tell if purple rice is dyed?

Purple rice and black rice look the same color, but they are both whole grains and rich in dietary fiber. Most of the purple rice on the market is replaced by black rice or black glutinous rice, so it is not surprising that many people think that purple rice is black rice. Some purple rice or black rice sold are dyed, how can you tell?

Is purple rice black rice?

Purple rice is not black rice. Purple rice is a variety of rice and belongs to the glutinous rice category, but it is neither black rice nor black glutinous rice.

The seed coat of purple rice has a thin layer of purple substance. Purple rice is more precious and the yield is not high. It is generally difficult to buy pure purple rice.

Most of the purple rice sold on the market is black rice or similar black rice. Purple rice will leave purple and black after being grabbed by hand. The cooked purple rice is crystal clear, fragrant and delicious, with a delicate taste and good taste. It is a precious tonic for the people.

How to tell if purple rice is dyed

The most notable feature of black rice or purple rice is its high content of anthocyanins, which are brightly colored natural pigments that are water-soluble and a type of flavonoid (unlike proanthocyanidins, which are polyphenols).

Anthocyanin is the main coloring substance for bright red, purple, purple-black or even black food, which is greatly affected by sunlight, temperature, oxygen and pH value. It appears purple-red under acidic conditions, blue-gray under alkaline conditions, and blue at a pH value of 12.

Take a handful of rice and soak it in a bowl of water for a while. After scrubbing, the pigment can be dissolved in the water. Then drop a little vinegar into the water. When the black water starts to turn purple, you have bought real purple rice or black rice. If half a bottle of vinegar does not turn the black color of the purple rice red, it means you have bought dyed rice.

This method also works for black rice.

Do you need to soak purple rice before eating it?

Whether it is purple rice, black rice, glutinous rice or brown rice, they all need to be simply washed and fully soaked. In summer, they can be soaked and placed in the refrigerator. Soaking will allow the dietary fiber on the surface of the rice to absorb water and swell and soften, so that it will soften faster whether it is porridge or steamed rice. However, purple rice and black rice are brown rice after all. If you want a stickier taste, you need to pair them with glutinous rice or ordinary rice, otherwise it will be a bit irritating to the throat. Another point is that the water used to soak the rice can be used to steam rice or porridge, which will reduce the loss of nutrients.