Origins
Taken from the Sanskrit word for “fragrant” or “perfumed one,” basmati is known for its sweet aroma, soft, luxurious texture and distinctive long, curved grains.
Nutrition
Basmati rice contains thiamin and niacin, two B vitamins that are very valuable to the metabolism.
Color
The most popularly used basmati rice has a translucent, white colour. Brown basmati rice has also been gaining prominence of late.
Texture
Basmati is endowed with the nutrients and richness of Himalayan soil. When it’s cooked into a delicious risotto, the texture of the plump kernel becomes soft and creamy.
Festive Uses
Owing to its life-sustaining and enriching qualities, rice is revered as a symbol of auspiciousness, prosperity and fertility, and is therefore widely used in religious rites and rituals.
Pairings
Flavorful rice blends perfectly in a savory sauce with chicken, black beans and green chilies and corn. Use it with cheese, tuna, curd or anything else that comes to mind.
Shelf Life
Kept away from moisture and direct sunlight, basmati rice has a shelf life of at least 2 years. Since it’s an edible product, the risk of infestation remains high and can be tackled with techniques life deep freezing. “Older, the better” could not be so true for anything else, as it is for basmati.
International Grain
Rice is the staple food of a large majority of the global population. Be it any country or continent, there is some indigenous variety of rice that forms an essential part of the diet of the populace.
