Basmati, a staple food item by many in India has earned the title of 'Best rice in World' by Taste Atlas, a popular food guide for the year 2023-24.
Recently, the food guide also placed India at the 11th position on the esteemed '100 Best Cuisines in the World list.
About Basmati Rice:
Basmati is long grain aromatic rice grown for many centuries in a specific geographical area, in the Himalayan foothills of the Indian sub-continent. The rice used by Indians and even in Pakistan has characteristics such as soft and fluffy texture upon cooking, delicious taste, superior aroma and distinct flavor. This type of rice is unique among other aromatic long-grain rice varieties.
India grows nearly 34 varieties of Basmati rice that have been notified under the seeds Act, 1966.
The varieties include Basmati 217, Basmati 370, Type 3 (Dehraduni Basmati) Punjab Basmati 1 (Bauni Basmati), Pusa Basmati 1, Kasturi, Haryana Basmati 1, Mahi Sugandha, Taraori Basmati (HBC 19 / Karnal Local), Ranbir Basmati, Basmati 386 and many others.
India is a major exporter of Basmati rice to countries such as Saudi Arab, Iran, Iraq, United Arab EMTs and Yemen Republic, said Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a government body.
Other rice varieties in the list after basmati:
- Arborio- Arborio is an Italian rice variety that's mostly used for risottos and rice puddings
- Arroz Carolino das Lezírias Ribatejanas- Portuguese varietal of rice grown in Salvaterra de Magos outside Lisbon, an area known for its mild, Mediterranean climate
- Rice paper- This variety is one of the main staples of Vietnamese cuisine, used for making appetizers by wrapping the ingredients in it
- Uruchimai or Japanese short-grain- This variety is a short-grain cultivar of Japonica rice and is the staple ingredient of Japanese cuisine
- Riz de Camargue- Grown in the Camargue region in France, this variety is cultivated in the area since the 19th century, and while the climate is restrictive and makes cultivation difficult, it also provides grains of great quality and delicate taste
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
