Why Hyderabad's Pista House is using Black Rice in Haleem?

As Ramadan has already started and Pista house the eminent city's Haleem restaurant, is all set with the season's favourite dish haleem and this year with an exceptional blend of Chakhao – black rice from Manipur.

This is for the first time Pista House will be using black rice in its GI tagged Hyderabadi Haleem as an alternative of basmati rice.

Bhanu Pratap Singh, Chief Executive Director, North East Foundation explained, "Chakhao was once believed to be the food for the Chinese emperor, by the virtue of its protein richness and anti-cancer properties. The ancient Chinese who discovered its health benefits at that time allowed only the emperors to enjoy this delicacy and others were forbidden from eating this rice. Hence, black rice is also known as forbidden rice."

He further added, "Black Rice is extremely rich in antioxidants, fibre, iron, vitamin E and has anti-carcinogenic characteristics. Regular consumers will benefit from its health boosters and higher nutritional value."

The black rice "chakhao" Haleem will be available in diverse quantities with the single plate Haleem for Rs 170 weighing 350 grams; this is 10 Rs more than the last year. A family pack for Rs 690 and jumbo packs of 5 kg and 10 kg are also available.

MA Majeed managing director of Pista House told, "We have decided to replace it with Basmati after learning about its health benefits. The best part is that there will be no change in the taste of the Haleem. It is just much healthier now."