Cereals and Pseudocereals
Rice ‘Tiara’ – High in Antioxidants
AN AROMATIC BLACK RICE HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS
Trevis D. Huggins and Anna M. McClung
USDA-ARS Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, 2890 Highway 130 E, Stuttgart, Arkansas 72160.
Corresponding author: trevis.huggins@usda.gov
OUTLINE
1. SUMMARY
Rice varieties that have special flavors or culinary traits receive a premium in the marketplace. USDA scientists developed ‘Tiara’, an aromatic rice variety with black or purple bran that is intended for production in the USA. ‘Tiara’ is packed with antioxidants that are associated with many health benefits.
The goals were to:
- Develop a black bran rice adapted to U.S. production to compete with imports
- Develop a rice variety with enhanced sensory appeal and health benefits
Download a printable fact sheet by clicking the image below.
2. PROBLEMS ADDRESSED
Aromatic or scented rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the primary imported rice to the U.S. because of its unique flavor. Other imported rice products include those with a black or purple bran. Black rice has been historically grown in Asia and is renowned for its reputed health benefits. Such imported specialty varieties command a premium price in the marketplace because of these unique sensory and culinary properties, but none possessing both black bran and aroma had been developed for production in the USA
3. SOLUTIONS DEVELOPED
A black aromatic rice variety, ‘IAC 600’, was developed in Brazil from a black rice variety originally obtained from China. ‘IAC 600’ was donated to the USDA National Plant Germplasm System and was grown commercially in the USA but on limited acreage because of its low grain yield. USDA scientists at the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas developed a new variety, ‘Tiara’, with ‘IAC 600’ in its parentage. ‘Tiara’, a black aromatic rice with greater yield potential and a longer grain type, is well suited for production in the Southern U.S. It is the first black rice developed in the USA for domestic production. It is sought after for its culinary properties. In addition, research has shown that the black (purple) bran is high in antioxidants like the pigments found in blueberries and other fruits.
Collaborators involved in developing solution:
- Anna McClung, Ming-Hsuan Chen, and Trevis Huggins, Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, Stuttgart, Arkansas, USA
4. GERMPLASM
‘IAC 600’ (PI 679960) is an accession of Brazilian black rice essential in the development of the cultivar ‘Tiara’ (PI 699624) in the United States. These are both maintained by the USDA National Plant Germplasm System.
5. CHAPTER INFORMATION
Citation: Huggins TD, McClung AM. 2024. Rice ‘Tiara’ – High in Antioxidants. In: Volk GM, Chen K, Byrne P (Eds.) Plant Genetic Resources: Success Stories. Fort Collins, Colorado: Colorado State University. Date accessed. Available from https://colostate.pressbooks.pub/pgrsuccessstories/chapter/rice-tiara-high-in-antioxidants/
Content originally submitted: March 8, 2024
Date of publication: August 13, 2024
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.