Homegrown Black Rice: A Complete Guide to Growing, Benefits, Processing, and Cooking

by Ewa Bekiesch, Permaculture designer, educator, self-sufficient and sustainable living consultant, and healthy food advocate.

Growing black rice at home is easier than you might think! All you need is a sunny spot, access to water, and a bit of patience. Whether you have a small garden or a larger plot, black rice can be grown in containers, raised beds, or even traditional paddies.

Growing your own black rice at home is a rewarding and empowering experience that offers numerous benefits for your health, the environment, and your wallet. Black rice, often referred to as “forbidden rice” for its historical rarity and nutritional richness, is a unique and flavorful grain that you can cultivate right in your backyard. Here’s why you should consider growing this extraordinary crop:

1. Fresh, Organic, and Chemical-Free

When you grow black rice at home, you have complete control over the growing process. You can avoid harmful pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers, ensuring that your rice is 100% organic and free from chemicals. This means healthier, safer food for you and your family.

2. Cost-Effective

Black rice is often more expensive than regular rice due to its nutritional value and unique properties. By growing your own, you can save money while enjoying this premium grain. Once established, a home rice paddy can provide a steady supply of this nutrient-dense rice for years to come.

3. Sustainability and Environmental Benefits

Homegrown black rice reduces your reliance on commercially produced rice, which often involves large-scale farming practices that can deplete soil nutrients, consume vast amounts of water, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. By growing black rice sustainably at home, you can minimize your environmental footprint and promote biodiversity.

4. Educational and Rewarding

Growing black rice is a fascinating process that deepens your understanding of agriculture and food production. It’s a great way to teach children (and yourself!) about where food comes from and the effort involved in growing it. The satisfaction of harvesting, processing, and eating black rice you’ve grown yourself is unmatched.

5. Self-Sufficiency

In an era of uncertain food supply chains, growing your own black rice is a step toward self-reliance. You’ll have a dependable source of nutrition right in your backyard, reducing your dependence on external food systems.

6. Nutritional Powerhouse

Black rice is renowned for its exceptional health benefits. It’s packed with antioxidants, fiber, and essential nutrients like iron and vitamin E. Unlike processed commercial rice, homegrown black rice retains its natural nutrients, offering you the full benefits of this superfood.

7. Unique Flavor and Versatility

Black rice has a rich, nutty flavor and a striking deep purple color that makes it a standout ingredient in any dish. Use it in salads, stir-fries, desserts, or as a side dish to impress your family and friends with its unique taste and appearance.

8. Community and Sharing

Growing black rice can be a communal activity. Share your harvest with friends, family, or neighbors, or exchange tips and seeds with other gardening enthusiasts. It’s a wonderful way to build connections and inspire others to grow their own food.

Start your homegrown black rice journey today!

I have high-quality black rice seeds available for sale, grown organically in my food forest. These heirloom seeds are perfect for beginners and experienced growers alike. Black rice plants are perennial, meaning they can produce harvests for multiple years with proper care. By cultivating this ancient and nourishing grain, you’ll not only enjoy the rewards of fresh, organic black rice but also contribute to a more sustainable and self-sufficient future. Visit my store here to purchase your black rice seeds and begin your journey toward growing this incredible superfood at home. Let’s cultivate health, sustainability, and self-reliance together!

One Seed, Many Plants

One of the amazing things about growing rice is that a single seed can produce more than one plant. Rice plants naturally produce multiple tillers (shoots) from their base, essentially creating a cluster of individual plants growing from a single seed. This means that even if you start with just a few seeds, you can end up with a thriving patch of rice plants!

How Many Rice Plants Do You Need?

Growing enough rice for a meal is easier than you might think! Here’s a quick guide:

One cup of uncooked rice (200 grams) requires about 20-40 rice plants, depending on the yield per plant.
Since rice plants are perennial, they will continue to produce grains year after year with proper care.
You can harvest and store your dry rice in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer until you’ve accumulated enough for a meal, making it a convenient and low-effort crop to grow.

Processing Homegrown Black Rice: From Harvest to Cooking

Once your black rice is ready for harvest, the next step is processing it to make it suitable for cooking. Here’s a simple guide to help you through the process:

1. Harvesting

Black rice is ready to harvest when the grains are firm and the stalks have turned golden brown.
Cut the rice stalks with a sickle or sharp knife, leaving a few inches of stem attached.

2. Drying

Bundle the stalks into small sheaves and hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. This allows the rice to dry completely.

3. Threshing

Once dried, thresh the rice to separate the grains from the stalks. You can do this by gently beating the sheaves against a hard surface, using a threshing tool, or even removing the grains by hand. Simply rub the stalks between your fingers or palms to release the rice grains. This method is simple and effective for small-scale harvests.

4. Winnowing

Winnow the grains to remove the chaff (the husks and debris). Toss the rice in a wide basket or bowl in front of a fan or on a breezy day. The lighter chaff will blow away, leaving the heavier grains behind.

5. Hulling

Black rice has an inedible outer hull that needs to be removed. You can hull the rice using a small-scale rice huller or by gently pounding the grains with a mortar and pestle. Be careful not to crush the grains.

6. Cleaning and Storing

After hulling, clean the rice by rinsing it in water to remove any remaining debris.
Spread the rice on a clean tea towel or tray to dry completely.
Store your black rice in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Properly stored, it can last for up to a year. For longer storage, you can keep it in the fridge or freezer until you’ve harvested enough for a meal.

7. Cooking

To cook black rice, rinse it thoroughly and use a 2:1 water-to-rice ratio. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30-35 minutes until tender. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Why wait? Visit my online store to purchase your black rice seeds or plants, and begin your journey toward growing this incredible superfood at home. Let’s cultivate health, sustainability, and self-reliance together!