Welpac Black Rice (Kuro Mai) is a short-grain, glutinous black rice that delivers on both nutrition and versatility. It cooks up with a satisfying sticky texture and a gorgeous deep purple hue, making it a standout ingredient for everything from Japanese rice bowls to Southeast Asian desserts. For the price and quality, it earns a solid recommendation from our team here at Tomato Japanese Grocery, though it does require a bit more patience at the stove than your everyday white rice.

What It Is

Kuro Mai, or black rice, is a whole-grain rice variety with its bran layer fully intact. That dark outer hull is packed with anthocyanins, the same antioxidant pigments found in blueberries and eggplant. When cooked, the grains transform from jet black to a striking deep purple, which makes any dish look special.

This particular product comes from Wel-Pac, a house brand of JFC International, the major Asian food distributor owned by Kikkoman. JFC has been in the business since 1958 (with roots going back to 1906), and the Wel-Pac line covers a wide range of primary ingredients for traditional Japanese cooking, from dried seaweed and noodles to specialty rice. The black rice itself is sourced directly from farmers in Thailand and sold in a 2 lb (907g) bag.

You may also hear black rice called "forbidden rice" or "emperor's rice." That name traces back to ancient China, where the grain was supposedly reserved for royalty because of its rarity and perceived health benefits. Black rice yields only about 10% of what white rice produces, which historically made it a luxury item. It's far more accessible now, but it still carries a certain mystique.

Who It's For

This rice is a great pick for home cooks who want to add more whole grains to their meals without sacrificing flavor or texture. If you already cook Japanese rice at home, mixing a handful of kuro mai into your regular white rice (like Nishiki) is one of the simplest ways to boost fiber and add a beautiful color to your bowl. It's a traditional practice in Japanese households, and the results are genuinely impressive.

It's also perfect for anyone who loves making Thai-style black sticky rice desserts, rice puddings, or grain bowls. The glutinous texture gives it a pleasant chewiness that works well in both sweet and savory applications. And if you're feeding someone who cares about nutrition, this rice makes a compelling case: per 100g, black rice contains 8.5g of protein, 4.9g of fiber, and 3.5g of iron, outperforming both white rice and brown rice across all three categories.

How It Performs

Cooking Welpac Black Rice is straightforward, though it does take longer than standard white rice. The recommended stovetop method calls for a 1:2 ratio of rice to water, brought to a boil and then simmered for 30 to 35 minutes until tender. You can also use a rice cooker on the brown rice setting, which works well and frees up your attention for other tasks. A third option is the pasta method: boil the rice in plenty of water (about 6 cups per 1 cup of rice) and drain when it reaches your preferred texture.

The cooked grains have a slightly nutty, earthy flavor and a pleasantly sticky consistency. Mixed into white rice, even a small amount changes the color of the entire pot to a soft lavender, which is a fun conversation starter at the dinner table. On its own, the rice holds together well enough for onigiri (rice balls), a traditional use for kuro mai on special occasions in Japan.

From a health perspective, the numbers are genuinely noteworthy. Clinical research has shown that consuming black rice can reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes by 30 to 35% compared to white rice. A half-cup serving of cooked black rice provides roughly 5g of protein, 3g of fiber, and meaningful amounts of iron, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E. It also contains 18 amino acids, making it a more complete nutrient source than most other rice varieties. All of this comes in at about 100 calories per 100g cooked.

Pros

• Excellent nutritional profile: more protein, fiber, and iron than both white and brown rice
• Rich in anthocyanin antioxidants, the same compounds found in blueberries
• Glutinous (sticky) texture makes it versatile for desserts, onigiri, grain bowls, and mixing with white rice
• Sourced directly from Thai farmers and distributed by JFC International, a trusted name in Asian food distribution
• Whole grain with bran intact, so you get the full nutrient profile with no processing shortcuts
• Beautiful deep purple color when cooked adds visual appeal to any dish

Cons

• Longer cook time (30 to 35 minutes) compared to standard white rice, which may not suit weeknight rushes
• The 2 lb bag size may feel small for heavy users; frequent buyers might prefer a bulk option
• Anthocyanin pigments can stain countertops, cutting boards, and light-colored cookware if you're not careful
• Flavor is earthier and nuttier than white rice, which may take some getting used to for first-timers

Serving Ideas

Here are a few of our favorite ways to use Welpac Black Rice:

• Mixed rice (Zakkoku-mai style): Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of kuro mai to your regular pot of white rice before cooking. The result is a nutritious, purple-tinged rice that pairs beautifully with grilled fish, pickles, and miso soup.
• Black sticky rice dessert: Cook the rice until very tender, then serve warm with coconut cream and a sprinkle of sugar. This is a beloved treat across Southeast Asia and a wonderful way to end a meal.
• Grain bowls: Use cooked black rice as the base for a bowl topped with avocado, edamame, pickled vegetables, and a drizzle of ponzu or sesame dressing.
• Special occasion onigiri: Shape the cooked rice into triangles, fill with umeboshi (pickled plum) or salmon, and wrap with nori. The dark color makes these rice balls look festive and unique.

The Verdict

Welpac Black Rice (Kuro Mai) is a reliable, well-sourced product that delivers real nutritional benefits and genuine cooking versatility. The Wel-Pac brand, backed by JFC International's decades of experience in Asian food distribution, gives us confidence in the sourcing and quality. The longer cook time is the main trade-off, but it's a small price to pay for a grain that outperforms white and brown rice in protein, fiber, and antioxidant content.

For anyone looking to bring more whole grains into their Japanese cooking, or simply curious about this historically prized ingredient, this 2 lb bag is a great place to start. We're proud to carry it here at Tomato Japanese Grocery, and we think you'll find it earns a permanent spot in your pantry. We give it a 4.2 out of 5.