Black Rice Vs Quinoa, Nutritional Comparison

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For the past few years, a healthy diet has been in discussion on all social platforms and media. Grains, vegetables, keto diet, and oils all have a fair share in this trend. 

Black rice and quinoa are the two popular grains that are famous for their best nutritional values. In this post, we will put light on the difference between Black rice and Quinoa. These two grains and will look that which one has the upper hand in the game.

Black Rice Vs Quinoa

What Is Black Rice?

Black Rice grain is considered a rare variant of rice that comes with a dark purplish color and is glutinous in nature. It is considered a food full of energy due to the high concentration of nutrients in it.

Black Rice was considered a very expensive food in ancient china and was believed that only royals could afford it. Jasmine rice also has a black variant, and it’s popular for its aroma and texture.

Black rice is sometimes referred to as forbidden rice and is rich in anthocyanin, which is a highly nutritious ingredient. Studies have shown that there is a connection between Japanese rice and black rice due to a mutated gene that causes the color change in the rice.  

Related Post: Black Rice Vs Wild Rice

Checkout The Following 3 Best Rice Black Rice Brands:

How To Cook Black Rice In A Rice Cooker?

  • Take a cup of black rice and soak it in water for 2 to 3 hours and you will see the water turns darker, remove the water and rinse the rice so the water remains clear.
  • Now take 2 cups of water or chicken broth in the rice cooker, place the black rice, and cover the lid.
  • If the cooker has a brown rice option, you can select it; many advanced cookers also have a black rice option.
  • Choose accordingly; you can also make it in a simple rice cooker with manual monitoring. Check in a timely manner and when the texture is fine, let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, and now your meal is ready to go.

Checkout The Following 3 Best Rice Cooker For Black Rice:

What Is Quinoa?

Quinoa is a grain full of essential nutrients and is also known as a superfood. It’s a seed from the quinoa plant and it’s homeland in Latin America.

Quinoa closeness to cereal grains makes it in the competition of them. It was the holy grain in the Inca Empire and came as food for centuries. 

It gained popularity in recent times with the boom of body fitness and balanced diet hype. 

Checkout The Following 3 Best Quinoa Brands:

What Are The Health Benefits Of Quinoa?

Quinoa also offers a range of health benefits due to its high nutritional content. One of the key benefits of quinoa is its ability to aid in weight loss. Quinoa is high in fiber and protein, both of which can help promote feelings of fullness and reduce calorie intake. Additionally, the fiber content of quinoa can help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent spikes in insulin, which can contribute to weight gain.

Quinoa is also beneficial for digestion. The high fiber content of quinoa can help prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movements. Additionally, quinoa contains a type of fiber called resistant starch, which acts as a prebiotic and feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut. This can help improve the health of gut and ease in digestion.

Furthermore, quinoa may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The antioxidants found in quinoa can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are risk factors for chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Additionally, the high fiber content of quinoa can help lower cholesterol levels and improve overall heart health.

How To Cook Quinoa In A Rice Cooker?

You can also make quinoa in a rice cooker.

  • Soak it for about 30 minutes, so it becomes a little soft.
  • Now for 1 cup of quinoa, you can use 1.5 cups of water.
  • Put the water and quinoa in the rice cooker and start the cooking after covering with the lid.
  • It will roughly take 15 minutes, and it’s ready to eat.

Checkout The Following 3 Best Rice Cooker For Quinoa:

You can cook Quinoa on the stove, too; for this, you need a deep pan; put the water and quinoa in it on a medium flame, so when the water starts to boil after a few minutes, the food is ready.

Which Is Better Black Rice Or Quinoa? Nutritional Comparison:

Quinoa has its own benefits, and Black Rice is also densely filled with nutrients. Amino acids are more abundant in the quinoa than the black rice.

  • Black rice has more calories (146 cal) per serving than the quinoa (120 cal)
  • Fat is negligible in black rice, and traces are found in quinoa.
  • Carbs are more abundant in black rice (34g) than the quinoa (22g) 
  • Quinoa is filled with fiber more than black rice.
  • Quinoa also contains more iron traces and proteins than black rice.

Overall, calories and carbs are more abundant in black rice, so broadly speaking, black rice provides more energy than quinoa.

But quinoa has its own fair share of ingredients that are essential for the healthy growth of the body.

Cooking Time Comparison: Black Rice Vs Quinoa :

There are many variants on both sides, so the cooking times are different from type to type. 

Black rice cooks in a range of 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the portion size.

As it’s small in size, quinoa cooks in less time, about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on portion size. 

Black Rice Vs Quinoa: Taste &Texture Comparison

Black rice and quinoa have distinct differences in taste and texture. Black rice has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor, while quinoa has a mild and slightly nutty flavor. Both grains have a chewy texture, but black rice is slightly softer than quinoa.

When it comes to incorporating both black rice and quinoa into your diet for variety, there are many options. You can use black rice as a base for salads, stir-fries, or grain bowls. It can also be used in desserts, such as puddings or rice cakes. Quinoa can be used in a similar way, as a base for salads or grain bowls. It can also be used as a substitute for rice or pasta in various dishes.

Advice:

Both black rice and quinoa offer a range of health benefits and are packed with essential nutrients. However, when it comes to overall nutritional value, quinoa takes the lead.

Quinoa is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the body needs. It is also high in fiber content  and rich in vitamins & minerals.

Quinoa has been shown to aid in weight loss, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

While black rice is also a nutritious grain, it falls slightly short in terms of protein content and certain vitamins and minerals. However, black rice is still a good source of antioxidants and fiber, and it offers unique health benefits such as promoting heart health and regulating blood sugar levels.