Black Rice  The ‘Forbidden Rice’ has a mild, nutty flavor, chewy texture, and many nutritional benefits, black rice can be found in numerous cuisines around the world. The secret of the intriguing nomenclature goes back to Ancient China, where a black variant of rice was consumed by a host of Chinese kings for betterment of kidneys, stomach and liver, until a handful of noble Chinese men took possession of every grain and withheld it from public consumption. Black rice then became a property for the Royal and the Wealthy only in Ancient China. Black rice continued to be cultivated but only for the Elite Classes, in limited quantities and under strict surveillance. The common folk were prohibited from growing or consuming it, and since then it earned its much renowned label – The Forbidden Rice.