Why source from Japan
Tsushima and Tanegashima maintain pre-modern Japanese akamai cultivars; ceremonial-use lineage 1,500+ years.
Key spec
Tannin / proanthocyanidin 0.5-2% in seed coat; protein 8-9%; brown-red colour distinct from anthocyanin black rice.
Typical end-product
Akagohan (ceremonial red rice), niche-export functional rice, traditional-craft retail.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 10–50 kg unpolished; 5–25 kg processed
- Typical lead time
- 6–10 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Nagasaki (Tsushima), Kagoshima (Tanegashima), Okayama
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- September – October
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; regional ceremonial use
- Japanese name
- 赤米
- Romaji
- 赤米
About this ingredient
Ancient red-pigmented rice variety, historically the original Japanese rice before whitening cultivars dominated. Limited contemporary cultivation in Tsushima (Nagasaki), Tanegashima (Kagoshima), and pockets of Okayama. Often used in ceremonial rice-blends (akagohan), and increasingly as a niche functional-food and storytelling ingredient for export retail. Tannin and proanthocyanidin content distinguishes red rice from black rice (anthocyanin-driven) and white rice. Distinct from kuromai-black-rice and existing rice entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; regional ceremonial use |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; rice-import licensing |
| United States | GRAS; rice-import allowed |
| China | GACC food facility registration |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Akamai (Red Rice) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Akamai (Red Rice) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
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Last updated: 2026-05-05