In short
- Diri ak djon djon: Haitian black rice cooked in an infusion of dried djon djon mushrooms.
- Origin: Haiti, the mushroom is harvested in the north of the country, around Cap-Haïtien.
- Essential ingredients: long rice, dried djon djon mushrooms, peas, shallot, garlic, thyme.
- A festive dish, served on Sundays and on special occasions in Haiti.
Origins and cultural history of diri ak djon djon
Djon djon is a small wild black mushroom that grows in the north of Haiti, particularly around the Cap-Haïtien region. Dried, it keeps for a long time and is sold in small bags. Soaked in hot water, it releases an intense black pigment and a woody aroma: this infusion, once strained, is then used to cook the rice, with no colouring added.
Diri ak djon djon is among the most recognisable dishes of Haitian cuisine. It is served on special occasions, family celebrations and Sunday meals, on its own or accompanied by meat, fish or seafood.
What are the essential ingredients of diri ak djon djon
The recipe for diri ak djon djon relies on the dried mushrooms and a long rice that absorbs their infusion well, rounded out with a few aromatics.
- long rice (basmati or jasmine type)
- dried djon djon mushrooms
- peas (garden peas or pigeon peas)
- shallot
- garlic
- thyme
- clove
What to know about diri ak djon djon
Diri ak djon djon is a Haitian black rice, cooked in the infusion water of djon djon, small dried black mushrooms that grow in the north of Haiti. This water, once filtered, gives the rice its dark colour and woody aroma, with no added colouring. It is made with long-grain rice, peas, shallot, garlic, thyme and a clove. A festive dish, it is served on Sundays and on special occasions, on its own or with meat, fish or seafood.
Frequently asked questions about diri ak djon djon
What is djon djon rice?
Djon djon rice, or diri ak djon djon in Haitian Creole, is a black rice cooked in an infusion of dried djon djon mushrooms, with peas, shallot, garlic and thyme. Its dark colour and woody aroma make it one of the most recognisable dishes of Haitian cuisine.
Why is djon djon rice black?
The colour comes solely from the dried djon djon mushrooms, soaked and then blended in hot water before being strained. It is this coloured water that is used to cook the rice: no colouring is added.
Where to find the ingredients for diri ak djon djon in France?
NKOSI sells the rice and aromatics for diri ak djon djon (long rice, pigeon peas, shallot, garlic, thyme, ground cloves), except for the djon djon mushrooms themselves, and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
