Why source from Japan
Domestic black-rice cultivation provides traceability and arsenic-control profiles unavailable in mass-volume Asian supply.
Key spec
Anthocyanin (cyanidin-3-glucoside) 100-300 mg/100g dry; protein 8-10%; bran-derived dietary fibre elevated.
Typical end-product
Anthocyanin FFC supplements, kuromai-cha for export retail, premium blend rice.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 100 kg unpolished; 10–50 kg processed
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Hokkaido, Akita, Niigata, Iwate
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- September – October
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; FFC notifications exist for anthocyanin
- Japanese name
- 黒米
- Romaji
- 黒米
About this ingredient
Pigmented ancient rice variety with anthocyanin-rich black bran. Japanese cultivation centres on Hokkaido, Akita, and Niigata under FFC and functional-food positioning. The seed coat carries cyanidin-3-glucoside concentrations 10-50× higher than common white rice. Used as a 5-10% blend in white-rice cooking (gives a purple tint), in onigiri, and as a stand-alone supplement / kuromai-cha (black-rice tea). Distinct from kuromame (black soybean) and existing white-rice / mochigome entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; FFC notifications exist for anthocyanin |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; rice-import licensing |
| United States | GRAS; rice-import allowed (low arsenic limit) |
| 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
Kuromai (Black 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
Kuromai (Black Rice) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Shiro-Koji (White Koji Mold)
白麹
Citric-acid pathway dominant (vs lactic-acid in yellow koji); essential for tropical-climate fermentation; alpha-amylase active.
Simpler in China· shares 4 categories
Yuba (Tofu Skin)
湯葉
Protein ~25% wet (50%+ dry); fat 13-18%; isoflavone elevated; gluten-free.
Simpler in China· shares 4 categories
Daikon (Japanese Radish)
大根
Vitamin C 12-15 mg/100g; isothiocyanate-derived diastase / amylase enzymes; protein 0.5-0.8%.
Simpler in China· shares 4 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Hakubaku Co., Ltd.
株式会社はくばく
Fujikawa, YamanashiEst. 1941English supportExport experienceBlack rice retail and milling
Hokuren Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives
ホクレン農業協同組合連合会
Sapporo, HokkaidoEst. 1919English supportExport experienceFSSC 22000 (selected facilities)Organic JAS (selected products)Hokkaido black rice
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Last updated: 2026-05-05