How to distinguish between real and fake black rice?

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Some consumers noticed that the black rice purchased from supermarkets lost its color after being soaked in plain water, leading them to suspect that the rice was artificially colored. Experts explain that it is normal for black rice to lose its color after being soaked in plain water, and they urge buyers not to panic. Experts say that the discoloration of black rice does not necessarily mean it is colored rice; black rice contains a pigment called anthocyanin, which can stain water when it dissolves, but this anthocyanin turns red when exposed to acid. Therefore, there is a simple and effective way to determine whether black rice is genuine or not, and that is by soaking it in vinegar: if the white vinegar used for soaking turns rose red, then the black rice is authentic ； And if it turns black or does not change color, then it is fake black rice. Furthermore, consumers can also distinguish them by the color of the black rice: natural black rice has a glossy surface, while colored black rice lacks such gloss ； The core of natural black rice should be milky white, whereas the core of colored black rice is transparent; in some cases, it may even be stained by dyes. Even genuine black rice can lose its color over time. It is precisely this factor that gives unscrupulous merchants an opportunity to use dyes and chemical substances to turn ordinary rice into black rice in order to make a profit. Therefore, it is very necessary and useful for everyone to know how to distinguish between genuine and fake black rice nowadays. Smart identification method: To tell genuine black rice from fake ones, you can use this approach – add an acidic solution to the water, such as white vinegar. If the water turns rose red or bright red, it indicates that this black rice is genuine, as anthocyanins turn rose red or light purple-red in the presence of acid. Fake black rice loses its color easily during washing, and the water in which it is soaked appears ink-like, remaining black even after dilution. Color observation: Genuine black rice grains are of regular size, have a bright color, and emit a pleasant fragrance. The melanin in black rice is concentrated in its outer layer; the inside of the grain is white. This characteristic can be used to distinguish genuine black rice from fake ones. In fake black rice, the dyes used will penetrate into the interior of the grain, and if the outer layer is peeled off or broken, the interior will appear dull or not white, indicating that the black rice is fake ； If the color is bright white, it indicates that the black rice is genuine. Scent identification: True black rice can also be identified in other ways, such as by smelling its odor. Blow warm air over the rice; if it is genuine, a pleasant fragrance will still be detectable, and rubbing it with the hands will not cause any discoloration ； If it is fake rice, an acidic and unpleasant smell will be detected. If it’s not possible to distinguish by color, this can help us. Tissue paper test: The purchased black rice can be wrapped in a wet tissue paper for about 1 minute; if no significant discoloration occurs upon unwrapping it, wrap it for another 4 minutes. If purple appears on the tissue paper, it can be determined that it is genuine black rice.