Riceberry (Thai: ข้าวไรซ์เบอร์รี่) is a rice variety from Thailand, a cross-breedofjao hom nin (JHN, a local non-glutinous purple rice) and khao dawk mali 105 (hom mali rice).[citation needed] The variety was created in 2002 by the Rice Science Center, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.[citation needed] The outcome is a soft, deep purple whole grain rice.
Riceberry is grown primarily in northern and northeastern Thailand.[citation needed] The wet season months of August through December are suitable for riceberry planting.
| Characteristics | [citation needed] |
|---|---|
| Plant height | 105–110 cm (41–43 in) |
| Days to maturity | 130 |
| Yield | 1,875–3,125 kg/ha (1,673–2,788 lb/acre) |
| Grain length (brown rice) | 7.2 millimetres (9⁄32 in) |
| Grain length-width ratio | >3.0 |
| Pericarp color | deep purple |
| Head rice (%) | 50 |
| Amylose content (%) | 15.6 |
| Gel temperature | < 70 °C (158 °F) |
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 1,631.76 kJ (390.00 kcal) |
80 g | |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Dietary fiber | 4 g |
4 g | |
| Saturated | 0 g |
8 g | |
| Vitamins | Quantity %DV† |
| Vitamin A equiv. | 1% |
| Folate (B9) | 12% 48 μg |
| Vitamin E | 5% 0.68 mg |
| Minerals | Quantity %DV† |
| Iron | 10% 1.8 mg |
| Sodium | 2% 50 mg |
| Zinc | 29% 3.2 mg |
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[1] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[2] | |
Riceberry contains anthocyanins and carotenoids, and has a glycemic index of 62.[citation needed]
The Commerce Ministry aims to increase riceberry cultivation from 5,000 rai to 20,000 rai (3,200 hectares) by 2018 to address in the world market demand for organic brown rice. The yield from 5,000 rai amounts to only 1,500 tonnes.[3] Demand for premium organic rice is still small, accounting for only one to two percent of total rice exports, but as riceberry sells for two or three times the price of white rice,[4] it has the potential to increase farming incomes.[5] As of 2015[update] Riceberry sold in the domestic market for about 50 baht a kilogram, while the export price was 200 baht per kilogram.[3]
