Difference between white and brown rice

We are often asked the difference between brown rice and white rice. People generally know that brown rice is healthier but we dig into more details here in order to provide more information. Rice is grown in the fields and harvested in plant form known as paddy. The rice grain is separated from the paddy. At this point the rice grain is still covered in a fibrous generally non-edible covering called husk. 

There are different way to remove the husk from the rice grain depending upon the brand and preference. Once the husk is removed, we end up with what is known as brown rice or brown basmati rice depending on the rice variety. This is undoubtedly healthier than white rice as it still has it's brown layer covering intact rich is fiber and Vitamin B complex. 

In order to obtain white rice, the brown rice is further processed to remove the brown layering through scrubbing and then polishing the rice to give it's shiny white texture. Most people will tell you that white rice tastes and smells much better and easier to cook than brown rice but brown rice is much superior in terms of it's overall nutrition and health benefits. 

Our Brown Basmati Rice is an exquisite blend of smooth texture, fine, spotlessly clean grains which on cooking are extra long and won't break or stick together. It has irresistible flavour, aroma and is a rich source of natural vitamins and minerals with its low calorie content, it is ideal for dietary purposes.

This is an incredibly healthy source of carbohydrates for bodybuilders and other athletes. When vegetarians eat pulses and soya it provides them with a high level of protein that is good for the body however this protein only has half of the total amino acids required for good nourishment. Combining pulses, dals and soya with brown rice also provides the other half hence completing the amino acid requirements.

How to cook brown rice?

Across the internet you can find probably hundreds of ways and recipes to make brown rice and rice in general. Here we describe the simplest and healthiest technique of all that requires very little effort. 

You can add rice to a big vessel and add plentiful of water (at least 4-5 times the amount of rice). Most people in India don't even measure but just add a lot more water than there is rice and boil for 20 - 25 minutes on high heat. After this time just take one grain of the rice to check it's soft and cooked. If it's still hard you can boil a little longer. When the rice is soft, drain excess water and enjoy with your favorite curry. This technique will give you the healthiest rice with the lowest amount of carbohydrates as the starch gets boiled out in the water giving you a much higher fiber content making you feel full for longer and less calories per portion of rice. 

Basmati which literally translates to “Queen of Fragrance” in the local dialect, is famous for its long grain and delicate flavour. It elongates to almost twice its original size after cooking. Long slender grains, fluffy texture, fragrant aroma and finger-licking taste give Basmati rice a preference over other varieties of rice.

 
Why Basmati Rice?
One of the best quality white rice, Basmati can be incorporated into your daily cooking if eaten in the right quantity. Let’s understand why Basmati is also called a healthy “supergrain”-

1. Basmati rice has low to medium glycemic index, meaning it helps reduce blood sugar levels, aids weight loss and lowers the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
2. Basmati rice is gluten-free, low in fat and sodium, and has no cholesterol. Packed with 8 essential amino acids and folic acid, it makes for a good choice for every day eating.
3.  Brown Basmati rice is healthier than the white one as it contains dietary fibre and a number of nutrients.

Note: Add a teaspoon of ghee in the boiling water to get an amazing flavour. This also prevents the rice grains from sticking to each other.

Recipes with Basmati rice
The open texture of Basmati rice makes it extremely versatile. It blends well with other spices making it an agreeable partner to a host of recipes. Some of the favourite dishes made with basmati rice are-

• Biryanis- Basmati rice is most commonly used to make robust vegetarian and non-vegetarian biryanis. See different biryani spice mixes here.  

• Kheer- Celebrate a happy occasion by making Basmati kheer loaded with milk, saffron, rosewater, cardamom and Basmati rice.

• Lemon rice- A tangy and delicious rice preparation with lemon juice, curry leaves, turmeric, mustard seeds and raw peanuts. 

• Coconut rice- An easy and appetizing delicacy dished out of Basmati rice, fresh coconut, mustard seeds, curry leaves and raw peanuts. 

How to store Indian White Basmati Rice?

Likened to old wine, Basmati is suffused in centuries of traditional love and cultural heritage. It improves with age resulting in a deeper and richer flavour. It can easily be stored for years in a cool dry area, in an airtight container.

When to discard Indian White Basmati Rice?
If dry Basmati rice gives out bad odour or appearance, or is infested with insects or contaminants, it should be immediately discarded.

Looking where to buy Indian brown basmati online in Canada? We offer home delivery everywhere in Canada.