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See below our answers to some frequently asked questions that our customers ask.
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Company
Is Tilda an Indian Company?
Tilda is a British company that was founded by a Ugandan family who migrated to the UK back in the ’70s. Tracing back to its Indian roots, the Thakrar family wanted to bring authentic ingredients they loved back home to the table for families to enjoy. 50 years on, Tilda strongly remains to be a household brand amongst different communities.
What does Tilda stand for?
Tilda is the amalgamation of the names Tila and Daksha, the daughters of the founders. Learn more about Tilda’s history and the key milestones achieved over the last 50 years.
Can I have some samples or coupons?
Right now, we do not offer any coupons however we run regular competitions and giveaways on our social pages, so please be sure to like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TildaRice), Instagram page (www.instagram.com/tildarice/) and follow us on Twitter (@TildaBasmati).
Nutritional & Dietary
Are your products gluten-free?
All of the rice that we supply, both dry and steamed are naturally gluten-free. Gluten isfound in wheat or products containing wheat derivatives or rye, barley, oats, spelt and kamut.
Are your products suitable for vegans?
Most of our products are suitable for vegans, apart from the following steamed rice varieties:
- Tilda Steamed Basmati Egg Fried
- Tilda Steamed Basmati Roasted Vegetable
- Tilda Steamed Basmati Sweet Chilli & Lime
- Tilda Kids Cheese & Tomato
- Tilda Pulses & Rice Chickpea, Harissa & Lemon
Products
How do I cook dry rice?
There are many ways to cook dry rice but firstly you should always rinse the rice to wash away any excess starch until the water runs clear. We recommend two methods; absorption and open-pan method. Watch our how-to videos for further instructions.
How do I know the rice I’m buying is pure Basmati?
Basmati is a protected rice crop grown exclusively in specific areas of the Indo Gangetic Plains, which currently includes Punjab (on both sides of the Indian and Pakistani border), Jammu, Haryana, Uttaranchal, and Western Uttar Pradesh in India.As UK’s leading premium rice brand, all our Basmati is purity tested and packed in accordance with the Basmati Code of practice, which defines the approved Basmati varieties, all with their varying characteristics. Our quality teams then meticulously check our rice at all stages to ensure we only pack the highest Basmati quality available.
How long does it take to cook dry rice?
Depending on the method chosen to cook rice, cooking times can vary according to different grains:
- Most white grains, including basmati, jasmine and long grain take between 10-12 mins to cook
- Parboiled grains (slightly translucent, light brown colour) can be cooked for longer without ruining the texture. They take between 15-18mins to cook
- Wholegrain rice (also known as Brown rice) takes longer to cook at around 25 mins. This is due to the grains having their bran layer intact
What is the difference between Brown rice and Wholegrain rice?
There is no difference - these are two different terms used for the same rice type.
I always cook too much rice, what is the right serving size?
We advise cooking 60g of dry rice per person. Remember, the grains will expand up to three times in weight once cooked.
What is the difference between Tilda dry and steamed rice?
Dry rice is uncooked which requires you to prepare it on a stove in a pot. This is great for recipes such as biryanis, curries and clay pot dishes when you have more time on your hands to play with.Steamed rice is pre-cooked and can be heated as per the pouch instructions, ready to serve up in minutes. This is perfect for mid-week meals when you have a busy schedule, in need of delicious lunches and dinners.
Do you have single serve portions of rice?
Our Tilda Kids rice ranges are available in single serve portion sizes. Currently our Tilda Steamed Basmati ranges are only available in packs containing two portions however it may be handy to know that these packs can be refrigerated for up to two days once opened.
Where can I buy Tilda rice?
Depending on the location you are based in, Tilda products are available in supermarkets, online and local retailers for purchase. For more information, visit our where to buy page.If you are a business, caterer or other foodservice business looking to buy, contact our consumer care team using the details on our contact us page for all enquiries.
I do not have a microwave, can I heat your steamed pouch another way?
Yes, simply empty your favourite flavour into a pan or a wok and stir fry for four minutes until it is heated through.Remember you can also eat our steamed rice cold as it's already been cooked for you. Once the packet has been opened, this can only be consumed within two days. More information can be found below.
How do I store rice correctly?
Dry rice should be stored in a dry cool place, preferably in an airtight container inside a cupboard.Cooked steamed rice should be stored in an airtight container inside a fridge/freezer if you've batched cooked rice.
Can I eat steamed basmati straight from the pouch?
Ourmicrowavable Tilda Steamed Basmati riceis cooked and sterilised in the pouch (the microwaving is merely a reheating process) so it is fine to eat it cold and straight from the packet.
Can I reheat dry rice?
Re-heating dry rice is safe but the rice needs to be cooled down immediately once cooked and then refrigerated until reheated. This can only be stored for one day to ensure bacterial spores do not grow and create toxins that can cause food poisoning.
Should I soak rice before cooking?
Soaking is optional however some rice types – particularly Basmati – we recommend soaking the rice for at least 20 minutes. This hydrates the centre of the kernel, allowing the grain to elongate and give an even fluffy texture. It is important to note that soaking reduces cooking time by up to 20%.Soaking times differ for different types of Basmati:
- White Basmati: at least 20 minutes
- Tilda Grand Extra Long Basmati: at least 30 minutes to achieve optimum length and visual appeal
- Parboiled Basmati (known as Sella Basmati): at least an hour
Can I reheat steamed rice the next day?
Re-heating pre-cooked rice is safe to eat as spores tend to be eliminated during the cooking process before you eat from the pouch. However, once the pouch has been opened, the rice must be consumed within two days.
Can I freeze leftover rice?
Yes, simply defrost it and cook it as normal to eat. Please see the advice above regarding how long to keep the rice and how to store it once defrosted above.
What signs should I look out for spoiled rice?
- When dry rice grains become darker in colour
- Unpleasant smell is coming from dry rice
- Bacteria growth within cooked rice will show signs of fungi or green mould
Read our blog on rice to find more information on spoilage.
