Although blue rice has been a part of south-east Asian cuisine for a long time, it has been further popularised by Instagram. Users have been posting aesthetic pictures of this deep blue-coloured rice on the photo-sharing app.

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So, what is this latest fad?

Blue rice is known as Nasi Kerabu in Malaysia and Thailand. Its striking blue colour sets it apart from the boring white rice. 

One might think that the blue colour comes from an artificial dye. But it’s because of a flower called butterfly pea flower, which is also used in cocktails, mocktails and teas. The flower not only adds colour, it also induces aroma and antioxidant properties. 

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How to prepare blue rice?

It is prepared like the regular rice, just make sure you use jasmine rice.

Boil it along with butterfly pea flower in your rice cooker. Add spices and other ingredients as per your taste. And your blue rice is ready to be served.