Riso Venere was born in Italy in 1997 and it is the first Italian black rice. It has a black, completely natural color due to the presence of anthocyanins in the grain, powerful antioxidants. Its aroma too is natural and recalls the smell of fresh baked bread. After Venere variety, the following black rices have been Nerone, Artemide, Violet, Nero Beppino and Otello, all grown in Italy. The black and red colored rice is called pigmented (see also Red rice).