The Venus of the title refers to the Greek god of love, fertility and beauty because black rice was considered an aphrodisiac by Asian emperors and their courts. This variety was created in 1997 by cross-pollinating an Italian risotto and Asiatic black rice. With a cooking time of 40-50 minutes it has a unique flavour and colour – deep burgundy when cooked – and the liquor can be used to make a separate broth with or without the rice.