Purple Rice Eight-Treasure Rice

Purple Rice Eight-Treasure Rice

　　Purple rice is also known as “purple glutinous rice” or “bone-healing glutinous rice.” It is only produced in the Simao and Xishuangbanna regions of Yunnan. The grains are long and deep purplish-red in color, and when cooked into porridge or rice dishes, their color becomes even more vibrant—hence the name. Traditionally, locals enjoy making it into eight-treasure rice during festive celebrations. It has a fragrant, slightly sweet taste, is sticky yet not greasy, nourishes blood and boosts energy, warms the spleen and stomach, and is suitable for conditions such as stomach cold pain, diabetes, and frequent nighttime urination, and when combined with herbal medicine, it can help treat bruises and cuts.

Purple rice has a distinctive fragrance, is deep purplish-red in color, and when made into eight-treasure rice, it is soft, glutinous, and pleasant to the taste—oily yet not greasy. Combined with various seasonings and ingredients, it creates a uniquely rich and complex flavor.

Eight-treasure rice can be served as a popular street snack or designed as a sweet dish in various banquet menus.