The Reasons Why Basmati Rice is the Best

                                                   

As a Rice eater living in a multicultural society such as ours we have many options to choose from & it can’t get more confusing than it can get in Australia.

Australian Long Grain Rice, Australian Medium Grain Rice, Calrose Rice, American Long Grain Rice, Thai Jasmine Rice, Thai White Rice, Vietnam Rice, Indian Basmati Rice, Pakistan Basmati Rice Biryani Rice, and the list goes on and on.  

If you think rice is just rice, you cannot be more wrong. Here I outline just few of the reasons why Authentic Basmati Rice is considered to be the best and why we should opt for Authentic Basmati over ordinary rice. It is important to mention here that these traits/benefits are only found in Authentic Basmati Rice and not the blended cheap versions found scattered today in the Australian marketplace, including major supermarkets. Unlike the UK & Europe, unfortunately Australia has no strict regulations to control authenticity & purity of the Basmati Rice product being packed and wrongly labeled as Basmati & yet sold freely in the market place. I will leave this for further discussion in my next blog.

Authentic Basmati Rice is a healthy ‘Super-Grain’

Authentic Basmati Rice is Gluten-free and low in fat. It has no cholesterol, is very low in sodium & contains all eight essential amino acids, folic acid, and is also high in fibre. Genuine & Pure Basmati Rice varieties have a low to medium glycaemic index, meaning that energy is released at a slower, steadier rate leading to a more balanced level of energy. If the grains are selected & milled carefully, rejecting broken grains, as they should be, less starch is released while cooking. If cooked in open pan and if the water is drained away, any starch that maybe released is also removed from the Rice. Ordinary Rice varieties have very high starch content.

Authentic & Pure Basmati Rice has a unique and sensational taste

Unlike ordinary long grain rice & blended basmati versions, Pure Basmati Rice grains are long, light & slender and have a slight curve. Depending on the variety of Basmati Rice, the average grain length of authentic Basmati Rice can range anywhere between 7.2 mm to 8.3 mm when raw and 14mm – 23 mm when cooked. The fluffy & non-stick texture of cooked Basmati grains offers the palate a totally different experience in terms of mouth-feel and taste. Unlike other types of rice grains True Basmati Rice grains only expand lengthways resulting in the grains retaining their long slender characteristic when cooked.

Basmati has a wonderful aroma

The word Basmati is literally translated as ‘the fragrant one. Authentic & Pure Traditional Basmati Rice has a very special & unique aroma unlike any other Rice variety.

Like Fine Wine Authentic Basmati improves with age

Like a fine wine, Authentic Basmati improves with age, and relies entirely on nature for its very special characteristics. The Rice Paddy should be properly stored for many months before milling in order for it to mature. The more the rice paddy is aged, the deeper and richer the flavor gets.   

True Basmati - Result of Genuine Constant love, affection & care by the farmer towards his Basmati Rice fields  

Basmati Rice is grown only in certain regions of India & Pakistan. Pure Indian Basmati Rice varieties are considered far superior as compared to Pakistan. There is only one Basmati harvest a year and the plant requires specific weather conditions to mature and flourish. It is much taller than other rices, and highly prone to wind damage. To develop its complex & unique flavor and premium characteristics, it requires constant love, vigilance & care by the farmer.

Posted By: Gautaam Varma, Managing Director, Taj Food Sales Pty Ltd (Australia)
Taj is the registered marketing brand of Taj Foods Pty Ltd, Pioneers of Basmati Rice in Australia. All TAJ products are backed with 100% Money Back Guarantee. To know more about Taj Foods, the TAJ brand / product range please visit www.tajfoods.com.au & www.facebook.com/tajfoods.