For every person who loves to eat rice a hot plate of steamed or fried basmati is just about the best way to have a meal. And for this reason, basmati is revered all over the world as the king of grains. However, other kinds of rice have admirers of their own. Foremost among them is a popular variety called Jasmine rice. How different is it from Basmati rice and why is it so highly rated? Let’s have a look at this article.
What is Basmati rice?
Basmati is a nutty, long-grained rice popular across the world. Grown primarily in India and Pakistan, this variety is consumed from one end of the world to the other. It has a delicious aroma that grants flavour to whatever dish it is used in. From Jollof rice to biryanis and fried rice, basmati is highly compatible with mainly, every rice dish.
What is Jasmine Rice?
Jasmine rice is mainly used in Taiwanese cooking since it comes from Thailand. It is also grown in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Jasmine rice is a long-grain rice type. Its ends are a bit rounded. Besides, the rice grains are translucent. Now it is becoming popular across the world as a viable alternative for Basmati.
Comparing Basmati and Jasmine Rice
While these are both highly popular varieties of rice, it is important to know how the two differ.
Visual Differences
Basmati has a very long grain size and very sharp edges. Jasmine rice, while also being a long-grain variety of rice, is slightly shorter and rounder at the edges. In a way, jasmine rice is long-grained, and Basmati rice is extra long-grained.
Flavour and Aroma
On the topic of flavour and aroma, Jasmine rice has a floral aroma. It is also reminiscent of popcorn by the way it smells- nutty, flowery and sweet.
Basmati rice is highly fragrant, which credits its name-it means Full of flavour. It has a well-known strong and nutty aroma.
Visual Differences Post-Cooking
Once cooked, Basmati and Jasmine rice look very different. Basmati has a fluffy, well-separated texture, while Jasmine rice is more stuck together, which makes it great for the cuisine in some countries such as Thailand.
As we see above, Basmati and Jasmine rice are very different from each other, yet a lot similar… As the popularity of these varieties continue increasing, which one do you prefer to cook your meals with?
