Basmati Rice
Delicately fragrant and unmistakable in taste, Basmati rice is grown at the foot of the Himalayas. Here you can learn everything there is to know about this rice variety.
Origin
Basmati rice is grown in India and Pakistan, and in the foothills of the Himalayas. The rice receives its nutrients from the clear, mineral-rich rivers and lakes of the high mountains. The climate and the pure mountain air also provide the typical aroma of Basmati rice.
What You Should Know About Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is one of the noblest rice varieties in the world. The pleasant smelling grain develops a flowery scent when cooked and tastes wonderfully aromatic. Translated, Basmati means "the fragrant one" due to the delicate nutty scent that is released during cooking.
The Basmati rice grains are a soft white that has to pass through three to four grinding processes during which the silver skin and the greasy germs are removed. Basmati rice is a long-grain rice that boils loosely and grainy.
How Healthy is Basmati Rice?
Basmati rice contains protein and above all carbohydrates, which makes this type of rice particularly easy to digest. Most of the vitamins and minerals are lost when the rice is polished and husked, which is why the content of these nutrients in the small rice grain is rather manageable.
Basmati rice, like other types of rice, offers a particularly favorable ratio of sodium to potassium. Because the sodium content is low, there’s less water stored in the body. The potassium contained in basmati rice, on the other hand, ensures that water and other metabolic products are flushed out of the body through the kidneys. Basmati rice is therefore well suited for detoxification.
| Nutritional values of basmati rice per 100 grams (uncooked) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 351 |
| Protein | 8.8 grams |
| Fat | 1 gram |
| Carbohydrates | 75 grams |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 grams |
Shopping and Kitchen Tips
Shopping
Basmati rice can easily be bought in bulk, so you always have the fragrant rice on hand. If stored correctly, the rice will keep for two to three years, which is much longer than natural rice.
Preparation
There are many ways to prepare recipes with Basmati rice that aren't limited to Asian dishes.
For four portions of rice, boil one liter of water in a pot with about a teaspoon of salt. Now add 250 grams of Basmati rice to the pot and stir it once. Now let the rice cook gently in a closed pot at low heat for 10 to 12 minutes.
Pour the rice over a strainer and let it drain well. Now put the rice back into the pot and let it simmer for about three minutes on the still-warm pan. Stir briefly and serve the rice with a variety of dishes.
What To Make With Basmati Rice
Find great basmati rice recipes in our cookbook. For example, would you like an Indian rice-vegetable pan? You will find it here!
