Riceberry, Thailand’s Super Grain

Delicious, nutrient-dense and easy to cook, Riceberry is the amazing creation of the Rice Science Centre of Thailand’s Kasetsart University, officially named and released for mass cultivation and consumption since 2005.

It is a long-grain hybrid of the local non-glutinous purple rice Jao Hom Nin, and the Hom Mali Rice Khoa Dawk Mali 105 (both variants of Jasmine Rice). Cultivated in the cool North and North-East regions of Thailand, Riceberry is grown with wholly organic methods throughout the year and takes about 4 months till harvest. It is most suitably planted during the rainy season in August till December.

Rice is huge in Thailand. Rice-eating symbolizes the essence of life, wellbeing and kinship in Thai culture. So it’s no surprise that the Southeast Asian country is one of the world’s leading rice exporters, producing more than 6,000 varieties each year.

Riceberry is quite literally the latest pride of Thailand, standing out with its unique raw reddish black colour that turns dark purple when cooked, as well as a long list of great health benefits in preventing chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, obesity and cancer. It’s been highly promoted around the world, including by the Sydney Thai Trade Center.

So let’s meet this incredible produce, known as the new “super grain” of Thailand.

Riceberry’s Wholesome Goodness

Riceberry is a whole grain rice with only the husk removed in the milling process, leaving the highly concentrated nutrients in the bran.

Natural anthocyanin gives Riceberry its rich colour – a soluble antioxidant compound that inhibits cell damage and lowers cholesterol in your body. Riceberry is packed with other antioxidants as well, including Beta Carotene, Gamma Oryzanol and Vitamin E. All these help to eliminate free radicals and the growth of cancer cells.

While other types of carb food have higher Glycemic Indexes (GI) which gives your bloodstream more sugar, Riceberry has a medium to low GI, and thus lowers your overall sugar intake.

The abundance of fibre also helps your digestion, lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.

All that means eating Riceberry can help keep you fit, nourish your skin, prevent wrinkles and slow your aging!

It Tastes Great Too

Riceberry has a rich fragrance with a tender, chewy texture and a light sweetness that goes perfect with any stir-fried, grilled, soup and braised cuisines. Its mild nutty flavour is also great for rice-based salads, while its glutinous quality makes it awesome for desserts.

Best part? Unlike other wholegrain rice that takes forever to cook, Riceberry cooks just like Jasmine Rice. Rinse thoroughly to remove dust and excess starch, put about 1.5 parts water to your amount of Riceberry, and steam till the water is absorbed.

Or just use a rice cooker. It’s that easy. 

Want something even more authentic and flavourful? Try our delicious Pineapple Fried Riceberry Rice with Prawns and capsicum. Or the exotic Thai Beef and Riceberry Salad recipe. For an extra special treat, the Coconut and Mango Riceberry Pudding is the must-have dessert guaranteed to satisfy your sweet craving.

Where to Buy Riceberry?

Talk of yummy dishes got you hungry? Then head over to your nearest Asian grocery! Riceberry is available at Jarern Chai Grocer in Thai Town, Haymarket, Sydney, and Talad Thai in Abbotsford, Melbourne, as well as most Thai-specialty grocers in Australia. 

Discover more of Thailand’s rich and diverse rice culture at www.thinkricethinkthailand.com.