Lotus FoodsHeirloom Forbidden Rice - Black Rice, Purple Rice, Black Rice Bulk, Gluten Free Heirloom Rice, Whole Grain, Non GMO, Vegan - 15 Oz Bag (Pack of 6)USDA Organic

I absolutely love the nutty taste of purple rice.

First off, black rice is a great alternative to the more starchy brown, white, red rices. It has a mild flavor and great texture (never mushy) and is cooked the usual way in your regular rice cooker. But I wanted to add how beautiful it is plated and elevates almost any dish! I bought the six pack after my first pack and use it in every dish that could use some rice.

I first bought this rice at my local safeway several months ago, and when I tasted it, I pretty much fell in love with it. After I bought it twice from safeway, I decided to order the 6 pack from lotus food, twice! Since I first tasted this rice last spring, I haven't gotten back to eating brown rice since, though I am craving for it now.The rice takes a little longer to cook than white rice, but not a whole lot. It usually takes only about 30 minutes when I use my rice cooker. Besides the unique nutty taste and color, the earthy smell of the rice that comes out the rice cooker just makes it even more pleasant to experience this rice. Compared to brown and white rice, it's definitely more expensive (3.5 to 8X more), and some may seem it as a "novelty." But like any other rice, it certainly lasts a while when you go bulk with the six pack or 11 or 22 pounds, and it's not so expensive that you would break the bank. I highly recommend everyone to try this rice at least once though just for the experience, and go from them after. And if the studies about this type of rice being arguably the healthiest rice due to having a high amount of antioxidants, perhaps its worth it.

I bought this rice in bulk, for economy, not having eaten it before. It is very good. When freshly cooked it has an unusually nice fragrance, almost flower like. I like it very much. The rice seeds are smaller than usual, and tend to wash through the vertical slots of the rice washing bowel I use before cooking the rice. Water added to the rice and allowed to set before cooking is absorbed well by the dry rice. I first tried cooking some in a my new Tatung electric pressure cooker (which has a stainless steel cooking pot, which is excellent), but the rice was too wet because I added too much water. Next I began using my new Tatung indirect rice cooker (which also has a totally stainless steel cooking pot and interior), and I have been getting excellent cooked rice. My habit has been to cook a large amount and refrigerate the extra, as I use it up over several days, but the best method for taste would be to cook it fresh every day. The extra dry bulk rice has been put into large glass storage jars, to preserve its freshness as much as possible. I eat rice daily, and this rice seems very nourishing. The black/purple color is unusual. I add salt and coconut oil while cooking it, very simple.

This rice is unlike any other rice. The taste is distinct, and may not appeal to everyone. But to me it feels like a premium product. Tastes chewy and goes with a lot of dishes. Easy to cook, and forgiving if you overcook a bit, without turning into mush. A totally unexpected benefit--it can go a few days in the fridge without spoiling. Other rice goes by rapidly and has much shorter shelf life in the fridge, especially if you like it with a little extra moisture.

The taste of this rice is wonderful. I just think it could be a little cheaper though. I wish it was for sale around here. So, I wouldn't have to order it online. I just don't know about the quality of things ordered online. When it comes to food. So many people can tamper with it by the time it gets to you.

Initially ordered the Forbidden Rice and to be honest... I thought it was "questionable" as the rice seems too "perfect" in appearance and doesn't pass the white vinegar test to my liking unfortunately. Not sure if the rice is artificially coated with anthocyanins after harvesting vs off the crop. (Fellow black rice connosiers can chime in)I contacted Lotus regarding this black rice and they replaced my 6 bags of black rice with 6 bags of different rice of my choice (Jade Pearl, Volcano, Red) instantly for my unhappiness with their black rice. Despite the black rice not meeting my standards of black rice (I prefer Thai black rice, can't go wrong with it vs Chinese), I have to say they truly care about their customers and took my concerns very serious. The service was great and the replacement rice was delicious btw, so this is why I have to give them 5 stars. I actually do recommend their other rice varieties, just not the black rice.Overall, Lotus Foods is a good company with good products, will be back for more exotic rice.

Game changer! I have to eat gluten free and dairy free and there is only so much brown and white rice a person can eat before losing their minds lol this rice is so versatile and can be used with soup, stew, served cold on salads etc. I highly recommend this product to spice things up!