What is the Best Basmati Rice Brand, The Top 5 Favorites

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By Ashley Woodward • Last Updated: February 16, 2023

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Best 6 Cup Rice Cooker

Hello Everyone! We learned from our previous posts about the fragrant Basmati rice and its various recipes. Today we will learn what is the best basmati rice brand that you will absolutely love! Get to know the top 5 favourites.

The Hindi Origin

Himalayas Mountain

We all know that Basmati rice came from Indian descent which literally means ‘fragrant’. India is also the top exporter of Basmati rice which accounts the 70% rice production all over the world.

Our usual idea when we hear about Basmati, is its aroma and dry, fluffy texture, such as the famous Biryani.

However, there is much more to this slender, long-grain rice, grown in the foothills of the Himalayas Mountains. It has handful of goodness and benefits too.

Types of Basmati

Indian Basmati Rice By Arnold Gatilao from Oakland, CA, USA
Indian Basmati Rice By Arnold Gatilao from Oakland, CA, USA

Basmati has several types and hybrids for a total of 29 varieties. There are three main categories of approved varieties which are the following:

  • Indian (Basmati, P3 Punjab, Bihar, Type III Uttar Pradesh, HBC -19 Safidon, 386 Haryana, Kasturi (Baran, Rajasthan), Kasturi, Basmati 198, Basmati 217, Basmati 370, Mahi Suganda, and the Pusa 1121)
  • Nepal (Pusa Basmati, Basmati 217, Basmati 1, Nepalese Red Basmati)
  • And Pakistani (Basmati 370 or Pak Basmati), Basmati 385, Super Basmati or Best Aroma), Basmati Pak (Kernal), 386 or 1121 basmati rice, Basmati 515, Basmati 2000 and the Basmati 198)

Advantages of Basmati

Among the other rice varieties, Basmati is one of those whose goodness and health advantages stand out. In fact, it is healthier in comparison with the white rice variety.

Basmati rice has similar advantages to that of brown rice which is the healthiest type of rice varieties. The aroma of Basmati also aids in having good appetite plus it improves the taste of different Basmati rice recipes. Here are the following benefits of Basmati:

1. High in Fiber

high blood pressure

The brown basmati rice is high in fiber content as compared to the white rice. The fibers in the bran layers which are still intact and stays during the milling process.

Thus, fiber helps in so many health benefits. One cup of basmati rice (200g) contains 20% of fiber contents (7.8g) which is ideal for adult recommended daily intake.

2. Low Glycemic Index

The glycemic index of brown basmati rice is considered on a ‘medium’ level wherein it is only around 56-69 while the white rice has 89.

3. Assists in Fat Oxidation

Basmati rice contains oxoacetic acid, which helps metabolize fats in our body. If this compound is not available, the fat is turned into ketones that can seriously lead to obesity and diabetes.

4. Reduces Blood Pressure

If you are suffering from high blood pressure then you can eat basmati rice in order to reduce and normalize. Basmati is rich in potassium and magnesium which regulates blood flow better.

5. Improves Brain Performance

For better and sharper memory, you need to eat basmati rice to improve your brain’s performance. Basmati is rich in thiamine that positively improves the nervous system as well as the overall well-being.

6. Prevents Cancer Growth

Because of its higher fiber contents, cancer cells are filtered out. Studies revealed that fiber-enriched food can greatly reduce the risk of any forms of cancer.

7. Aids Regular Bowl Movement

keeping healthy

Fiber doesn’t just aid in preventing cancer growth but as well as maintaining regular bowel movement. Whole grain foods are the ones considered to be rich in fiber and the brown basmati rice contains one of the highest percentages.

8. Gluten-Free

Plenty of foods made from whole grain are naturally gluten-free. Basmati is organically gluten-free which is certified by most vegans and those with allergic reactions to gluten.

Other gluten-free food you can eat are milet, whole barley, whole wheat, spelt, brown rice, and quinoa.

9. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

The aroma in basmati rice contains important vitamins such as: Vitamins B1 for healthy red blood cells, B6 for good metabolism, Vitamin E for anti-oxidant, Vitamin K for blood-clots, riboflavin and pantothenic acids for normal nervous system functioning.

10. Promotes Stronger Bones

Manganese is an essential mineral that is required for the body’s normal metabolism. Apart from that, manganese also improves the density of bones especially the spinal column. It prevents the buildup of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

What is the Best Basmati Rice Brand

With all the overwhelming health benefits of Basmati rice, we cannot help but wonder what is the best basmati rice brand. To better help you with this concern, I have already listed below the top 5 favorite basmati brands which are all great for rice dishes and health goodness.

1. Royal White Basmati Rice, 10lb bag

Royal Basmati is a premium brand that harvests basmati rice from the Himalayan foothills. The aroma and natural flavors are aged carefully to ensure that you get the authentic smell and taste of the real basmati rice.

Aged basmati rice is the most flavorful when it has matured for at least 12 months or so. This basmati rice brand cooks for about 15-20 minutes for the perfect dry, fluffy and fragrant rice.

2. Tilda Legendary Rice, Pure Original Basmati, 10lb bag

Also grown and harvested from the foothills of the Himalayas, Tilda Legendary Rice brand is also known for its authentic basmati.

The grains are carefully tested for authenticity to ensure that the magical aroma is intact and the benefits are well-preserved.

This brand does not include any artificial flavorings to keep the original taste and smell of basmati rice.

3. Pride of India – Extra Long Indian Basmati Rice, Naturally Aged, 2.2lb

Pride of India brand proudly sells GMO-free, and certified gluten-free basmati rice that is packed and sealed in a PET jar that is BPA-free. Y

ou will get the same aroma and basmati flavors but with extra long grain for better cooking characteristics.

This type of basmati rice is aged for 2 years to achieve a natural flavor and aroma. This basmati brand is perfect for different rice recipes like the famous Biryani.

4. Daawat Traditional Basmati Rice, 10lb bag

Daawat is an Indian basmati rice brand which is popularly tag as the “connoisseur’s choice”. Its signature ‘house-filling aroma’ makes this brand famous and well-loved by customers.

This is the same authentic Indian basmati rice in a pack and sealed to bring the world a great grain heritage.

5. Lundberg Organic Rice, Brown Basmati, 4lb bag

The Lundberg family plants and havests their own basmati rice as part of their devotion to bring only the finest quality grains since 1937.

Its basmati is certified a vegan and kosher product with NON GMO Project Verified.

The grains produced are of the organic California brown basmati which is a good alternative when the authentic Indian, Nepalese, or Pakistani basmati is not available.

Brown rice also has more vitamins and minerals. This is another reason why you should consider this option.

How to Cook Great Basmati Rice

Zojirushi NS-ZCC10

If you want to enjoy delicious basmati rice, it is not enough to choose the right rice brand, you must also cook this rice in the right way. How to do it? By using the right rice cooker.

Below I present to you one of the most renowned rice cookers on the market, Zojirushi NS-ZCC10/18. Rice cooked in this rice cooker has an ideal consistency and is very fluffy. That’s why it’s a very popular rice cooker model among rice lovers.

As you probably know, cooking rice is simple, but cooking rice to get the full taste and aroma is not so easy. Even chefs in professional restaurants use rice cookers to cook great rice. Zojirushi NS-ZCC10/18 rice cooker & warmer has a modern microcomputer that controls the entire cooking process.

All you have to do is pour the rice and the right amount of water into the device. Then close the lid and press the button. That’s all. This model works great when it comes to cooking basmati rice.

How to Cook Basmati Rice Using Zojirushi NS-ZCC10/18 Rice Cooker

  1. Pour the right amount of basmati rice into the inner pan, use a special measuring cup.
  2. Then rinse the rice several times until the water is clear.
  3. Add the right amount of water to the washed rice. The amount of water depends on the amount of rice that you poured into the inner pan. In the case of basmati rice for one cup of rice you need one and a half cups of water. So if you poured two cups of rice, you need to pour three cups of water. You can measure the water with a measuring cup or with the measure inside the inner pan.
  4. Wipe your inner pan and put it inside the rice cooker.
  5. Close the lid, select the option of cooking white rice and press the start button.
  6. That’s all, now your rice cooker will cook wonderful basmati rice for you.

Rice cooker is a great solution for rice lovers or people who want to enrich their diet in rice. In addition, rice grains are a great base for people who want to take shape or simply start eating healthily. The price of this rice cooker is about $ 170, so the price / quality ratio of this device is in my opinion great. This is another reason why I highly recommend this rice cooker.

Better than Best

Everything that is organic or grown naturally really gives us all the benefits our bodies require. Apart from eating right, choosing the best quality basmati rice is also essential.

If you are confuse which brand to buy, then remember the top 5 favorite basmati rice brands that consumers love to eat. If you know other basmati rice brand that is best for our health, do let us know in the comments below!

🔥 Editor's Choice
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10

Zojirushi NS-ZCC10

Relatively small kitchen-counter footprint, an attractive exterior, and a number of different cooking presets,