Black rice for risotto is a highly nutritious whole grain rice with an aromatic nutty flavor and a firm, slightly chewy texture. Once cooked, the color changes from glossy ebony black to deep violet. Black risotto rice is ideal for rice salads, soups, and seafood risottos. Fontana Formiello Black Risotto is grown in the Italian Piedmont region. Vacuum packed. Things to know: Nerone originates from China, where black rice or "forbidden rice" was served exclusively to the Emperor and his court. In the 1990s, a variety of Asian black rice was crossed with Italian Padano rice, a type of medium-grain round rice, giving rise to Nero rice.