Violetly Happy
When I first ate this, only about a month ago at an Old Hanoi do, I wondered how the hell I’d never tried it before.
Violet rice with yoghurt, served with crushed ice. It’s among the most tasty foods I have ever eaten in Hanoi.
Since then I must have eaten it a dozen times, our regular supplier being this place of wonderment and sweet things.
I’m assured, but I’m not sure I can actually believe it, that the rice is naturally that colour. My suspicions being aroused as a result of it tasting vaguely Ribenaish.
Normally they sell it to us all bagged up complete with a separate bag of ice. Last night though I perched myself on a plastic stool and spooned it in. There I was, big 39 year old me, smack bang in the middle of a dozen sweet-toothed Vietnamese teenage girls. Back home that might be odd enough behaviour to get me arrested.
What’s it taste like? Well like a more subtle version of blackcurrant and yogurt. The rice is not remotely starchy. Not especially sticky either, just juicy.
Oh and it looks a lot less attractive when it’s all mixed up. See below.
That is the God given color of that particular type of rice. In Vietnamese its called “Nếp Than”, or coal sticky rice.
Having just read this information
‘Researchers have discovered a great new source of antioxidants: black rice. Packing more cancer-fighting goodness than even blueberries’.
I could not believe it when I visited and lo and behold you were eating it.
Bet it gets to be the next best thing in the West and the price soars.
TNB and Mrs K – thanks – it appears it’s all natural and actually pretty good for you.
It’s certainly very tasty. If it does arrive in a Tescos near you soon then I’d recommend it.