noun
ancient rice varieties; wild rice
Refers to traditional or heirloom rice strains, often with colored grains (red, black, green). Not the same as North American wild rice (Zizania), though sometimes translated as 'wild rice' in English.
古代米を使ったおにぎりは、色がきれいで栄養も豊富だ。
Rice balls made with ancient rice varieties have beautiful colors and are nutritious.
この地域では、赤米や黒米などの古代米が栽培されている。
In this region, ancient rice varieties such as red rice and black rice are cultivated.
A specific type of ancient rice with black bran. 古代米 is the broader category.
Refers to North American wild rice (Zizania), which is a different plant. 古代米 is sometimes translated as 'wild rice' but is not the same.
Compound of 古代 (ancient) and 米 (rice). The term likely arose to distinguish traditional, non-modern rice varieties from common white rice.