
Kavuni Arisi Sweet is a rich and traditional South Indian dish made using a rice called ‘kavuni’ or ‘black rice’. It is also known as Black Rice Sweet or Chettinad Kavuni Arisi Dessert made for weddings and festive occasions. It is soft, chewy, slightly sticky with a aromatic taste from the rice. Follow the step by step instructions, pictures and video to learn Kavuni Arisi sweet.

Kavuni arisi sweet
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About Kavuni Arisi Sweet
Kavuni Arisi Sweet is made by cooking black rice or kavuni arisi with water then adding sugar, grated coconut, ghee and cardamom powder. Kavuni Arisi Sweet is a popular treat in chettinad cuisine. Kavuni Arisi is a traditional black rice variety native to Chettinad, Tamil Nadu. It is known for its deep purple-black color, chewy texture, and numerous health benefits.
In olden days the Chettiar community traded in many countries and Burma was one such country. It is believed that they brought back black rice or kavuni arisi from Burma(Myanmar) as black rice is popular there. Due to its cost and uniqueness, serving kavuni arisi was considered rich and a status symbol.
This black rice or kavuni arisi or kavuni puttarisi has a beautiful purple shade after its cooked. I first tasted this kavuni rice sweet at my native place Karaikudi. My aunt made this and I so loved it. So after that I got a pack from there and started making it at home. Now this has become a staple at home as we all love it.
Black rice is very hard and takes more time to cook so prior soaking is a must. The key to get perfect kavuni arisi sweet is to cook the rice to perfection, it should be slightly mushy at the same time have a bit to bite in each grain of rice. and considering the health benefits it is great to include it our daily diet.


Kavuni Arisi Sweet Video
Kavuni Arisi Sweet Ingredients
- Kavuni Arisi (Black Rice) – Kavuni arisi is easily available in supermarkets now. Some even sell broken varieties, you can use it too which takes less time to soak and cook.
- Coconut – I have used grated coconut, you can use finely chopped coconut too.
- Sweetener – Jaggery or cane sugar is traditionally used. I have used cane sugar, if you use jaggery then melt with water, strain to remove impurities and then add it.
- Ghee – Ghee is added for flavor and richness.
- Cardamom powder – is the best flavoring for this sweet, so do not skip it.


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How to make Kavuni Arisi Recipe Step by Step
1.Measure and take 1 cup kavuni rice.


2.Rinse it well first and then soak it in water for 4 to 5 hours minimum.


3.Strain water.


4.Rinse it well and drain water completely.


5.Add it to pressure cooker along with 3 cups of water. Pressure cook for 6 to 8 whistles or until the rice is cooked.


6.Once cooked it will look like this. Switch on and cook until the water floating on top is absorbed. Cook for 2-3 minutes.


7.Mash the rice with a ladle roughly.


8.Add 1/2 cup cane sugar and 1/2 cup grated coconut.


9.Mix it well and add 2 teaspoon ghee.


10.Add 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder.


11.Mix it well.


Yummy kavuni arisi sweet ready to be served!


Expert Tips
- Kavuni Arisi – This rice takes longer to cook so soaking is must. You can even soak overnight. If you want it more soft and mushy cook for 10 whistles.
- Measures – Usually the measure of all the 3 ingredients is the same like if we take 1 cup kavuni rice then its 1 cup sugar and 1 cup coconut which is the measure my aunt gave. But I usually reduce it as its too much of sweet taste for us.
- Cooking time – The cooking time varies according to the variety of kavuni rice used. As this rice is tough it takes longer than regular rice to cook.
- Texture – The texture of this sweet is sticky and moist not too dry so cook accordingly. It is chewy and has a slight crunch.
Serving & Storage
Kavuni Arisi sweet is served as a part of South Indian meals. You can serve it for breakfast or as an after meal desert too.
This sweet can be stored in fridge for 2 days and consumed. While serving reheat by adding little water to get to the desired consistency.
FAQS
1.Is black rice and kavuni rice same?
Yes, Kavuni Arisi is a type of black rice popular in Chettinad. There are other black rice varieties in Asia like Thai or Chinese black rice, but kavuni is unique to South India.
2.What are benefits of eating this rice?
Kavuni rice is rich in:
- Antioxidants
- Dietary fiber
- Iron, Vitamin E
- Protein
3.What other dishes can I make with kavuni rice?
Kavuni rice can be used to make porridge, deserts, kheer, idli, dosa, puttu, idiyappam etc.


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📖 Recipe Card
Kavuni Arisi Sweet Recipe
Kavuni Arisi Sweet is a rich and traditional South Indian dish made using a rice called ‘kavuni’ or ‘black rice’. It is also known as Black Rice Sweet or Chettinad Kavuni Arisi Dessert made for weddings and festive occasions. It is soft, chewy, slightly sticky with a aromatic taste from the rice. Follow the step by step instructions, pictures and video to learn Kavuni Arisi sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup kavuni arisi black rice
- 3 cups water
- 1/2 cup coconut
- 1/2 cup sugar I used cane sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 2 teaspoon ghee
Instructions
-
Measure and take 1 cup kavuni rice.
-
Rinse it well first and then soak it in water for 4 to 5 hours minimum.
-
Strain water.
-
Rinse it well and drain water completely.
-
Add it to pressure cooker along with 3 cups of water. Pressure cook for 6 to 8 whistles or until the rice is cooked.
-
Once cooked it will look like this. Switch on and cook until the water floating on top is absorbed. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
-
Mash the rice with a ladle roughly.
-
Add 1/2 cup cane sugar and 1/2 cup grated coconut.
-
Mix it well and add 2 teaspoon ghee.
-
Add 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder.
-
Mix it well.
-
Yummy kavuni arisi sweet ready to be served!
Video
Notes
- Kavuni Arisi – This rice takes longer to cook so soaking is must. You can even soak overnight. If you want it more soft and mushy cook for 10 whistles.
- Measures – Usually the measure of all the 3 ingredients is the same like if we take 1 cup kavuni rice then its 1 cup sugar and 1 cup coconut which is the measure my aunt gave. But I usually reduce it as its too much of sweet taste for us.
- Cooking time – The cooking time varies according to the variety of kavuni rice used. As this rice is tough it takes longer than regular rice to cook.
- Texture – The texture of this sweet is sticky and moist not too dry so cook accordingly. It is chewy and has a slight crunch.
Nutrition Facts
Kavuni Arisi Sweet Recipe
Amount Per Serving (100 g)
Calories 434
Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 9mg3%
Sodium 19mg1%
Potassium 189mg5%
Carbohydrates 83g28%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 35g39%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 25mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.