The 9 Best Brands Of Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is one of the most uniquely flavored, aromatic, and perfectly textured rice grains money can buy. Growing, harvesting, and aging this particular type of rice is truly an art form, developed over generations of committed rice farming.
Choosing the best brand of basmati rice is not as easy as simply picking up the most affordable bag of white rice on a shelf. Your decision should be based on the right aroma, length of the grain, quality of the milling process, and much more.
So what is the best brand basmati rice? The best white basmati rice comes from Lundberg Family Farms, and the best brown basmati rice is Food to Live’s ready-made variety. The basmati rice with the best aroma is from Pride of India. The best brand of basmati rice overall is Lundberg Family Farms because they have the lowest arsenic levels and are non-GMO.
If you’d like to see what other brands made our top 9 favorites, and learn how they were judged, this article reveals all information you need to know before buying basmati rice in bulk and many bonus details as well.
The 9 Best Basmati Rice Brands
Not all rice is created equal and that is especially true for basmati rice. Basmati is traditionally grown in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, as you’ll see in many of our favorite brands.
It’s also one of the few types of rice that are aged to perfection, though that aging process varies depending on the brand and where the grain is sourced as well.
We’ve carefully analyzed most, if not all, of the biggest brands of basmati rice suppliers on the market and created a list of our top 9 favorites for you to choose from.
| Rank | Brand | Best For | Current Price on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Lundberg Family Farms | Lowest arsenic content | California Basmati White Rice |
| 2. | Seeds of Change | Super quick preparation | Organic Brown Basmati Rice |
| 3. | Royal | Best bulk pricing for authentically grown Indian rice | White Basmati Rice |
| 4. | Pride Of India | Best aroma and flavor | Extra Long Indian Basmati Rice |
| 5. | Food To Live | Best brown basmati rice | Organic Brown Basmati Rice |
| 6. | Tilda Legendary Rice | Best bulk options – up to 40# bag | Pure Original Basmati |
| 7. | Daawat | Longest grain | Ultima Extra Long Grain Basmati Rice |
| 8. | Dunar | Best milling and processing technology | Elonga Basmati Rice |
| 9. | Zafarani Reserve | Greatest potential, as suggested by a popular following in the ethnic market | GMO-Free Extra Long Grain Basmati Rice |
| Bonus | Khazana | Most unique flavor | Premium Smoked Basmati Rice |
With considerable attention to the most minute details, we’ve narrowed down the best brands of basmati rice to the top 9 options and provided you with notes about each one so you can make the most educated decision when you’re ready to refill your basmati rice supply.
1. Lundberg Family Farms California Basmati White Rice
We chose this California basmati white rice not only as the best of all the white basmati rice options but the best basmati rice brand overall.
Lundberg Family Farms also cultivates an organic option that is not only delicious basmati rice, but it has a beautiful aroma unique to Indian basmati grains.
Key Features:
- Non-GMO Project and an Organic option
- Sustainably grown using eco-positive farming practices
- More flavorful than white rice but not quite as nutty as Indian rice
Biggest Drawback: This white basmati rice is a shorter grain than traditional basmati, which just feels wrong to some cooks. Many others prefer the shorter grain for the texture, but it isn’t as exotic as others hope and shop specifically for.
Our Pick for “The Best White Basmati Rice”
Lundberg Family Farms makes the most delectable white basmati rice you can find. They have practiced sustainable farming techniques for multiple generations which is great for the environment and even better for the rice.
One of the most interesting qualities of Lundberg Farm’s basmati rice in particular is that it has some of the lowest levels of arsenic in commercially grown rice.
Unfortunately, arsenic is well known for accumulating in rice, so if you eat a lot of this grain, Lundberg’s is going to be a good choice for you.
Great soil quality grows flavorful, delicious rice, and that’s a fact. It has the aroma of beautiful Indian grain, but it has a shorter grain that still cooks up fluffy and dry, perfect for stir-frys as well as pilafs.
2. Seeds of Change Organic Brown Basmati Rice
Seeds of Change organic brown basmati rice is our second choice for a few reasons. It’s high-quality rice, USDA organic, housed inside a BPA-free package which are things we like.
But what really wins our favor is the fact that it’s ready-made and cooks in less than 2 minutes.
Rice is a very versatile grain but it takes time to cook and we don’t always have time. So, if you’re in a rush, this is the brand you want to reach for.
Key Features:
- Even though it’s ready-made, there are no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
- Very aromatic with a nutty flavor and slightly chewy grain
- Ready in 90 seconds
Biggest Drawback: Even when you buy in bulk (pack of 12), it’s not as economical as buying a big sack of dry brown rice because it’s ready-made. You pay extra for the quick preparation, but SEEDS OF CHANGE really delivers on that convenience factor.
3. Royal White Basmati Rice
Royal White basmati rice is grown and harvested in India from local growers who make it their art to care for their crops.
The quality is certainly premium and, though it’s not organic, it is non-GMO.
It’s aged with expert level precision in temperature-controlled silos, a quality few people would ever think to ask about their rice, but it turns out it’s highly important.
Aging basmati rice, not unlike a fine wine, brings out the flavor of the grain.
Key Features:
- Sourced from the foothills of the Himalayas – it does not get more authentic
- Aged 12 months for the perfect texture and flavor profile
- Ready in 15 – 20 minutes, which is quick even for a high-quality basmati
Biggest Drawback: While the rice itself is a premium quality, the biggest concern with this product is its occasionally faulty packaging. This is not uncommon in the rice industry, or even for Amazon sellers in general, but it’s generally the only complaint lodged against this rice.
4. Pride Of India – Extra Long Indian Basmati Rice
This brand wins our award for the best aroma and it also falls pretty high on our list of overall favorite basmati rice options.
It’s authentically grown and aged, manufactured without chemicals, pesticides, or bio-engineering.
The end result is a truly exotic smelling and tasting basmati rice that brings true Indian quality to curries and dishes like biryani or pulao.
Key Features:
- Aged for 2 years
- Extra-long, thin grain
- Farm to table sustainable practices
Biggest Drawback: Though it’s not immediately obvious on the sales page, this rice should be rinsed and soaked before cooking it, which does add a little bit of extra time. It’s worth it though because the grains cook up extra long and full of flavor.
Our Pick for “The Best Basmati Rice with Aroma”
Basmati literally means “fragrant” in Hindi, so it should go without saying that one of the markers of a great brand of basmati rice should be a pleasing aroma.
The most aromatically pleasing basmati rice currently on the market is the Pride of India – Extra Long Indian Basmati Rice. If you are a basmati connoisseur you may already understand that aging the rice carefully is what allows the nutty flavor and aroma to really establish in the rice.
Pride of India ages their basmati for 2 years, and the result is very worth it. It’s grown in the foothills of the Himalayas which, we believe, adds to the natural flavor and aroma simply by being the fertile rice ground that it is.
This brand grows their rice without chemicals or pesticides, which also protects the natural earthiness of the rice, making it no wonder it is called the Pride of India.
5. Food to Live Organic Brown Basmati Rice
Finding a great quality brown basmati rice isn’t the easiest search in the world, but Food to Live delivers.
Not only is their product organic, but all of their products are vegan friendly and the company as a whole is dedicated to worldwide health for humans and the environment.
Key Features:
- Retains more vitamins and minerals that white basmati
- Minimally processed to increase available levels of selenium and B Vitamins
- Deeper, woody flavor and aroma compared to white basmati
Biggest Drawback: Because it’s brown rice which includes the hull, this type of basmati does take longer to cook and will always have a bit more of a crunch to it than white basmati rice, however that should be expected from brown rice.
Our Pick for “The Best Brown Basmati Rice”
Brown basmati rice is not overly common, but it is a treat when you can find a great supplier. Our favorite is Food to Live’s organic brown basmati rice.
The main difference between brown and white basmati rice is how much processing each individual grain goes through before it’s packaged for sale.
Brown basmati rice is hulled, and the process stops there. White basmati rice continues to be cleaned of its germ and all the layers of bran.
Much of the vitamins and minerals, particularly the B Vitamins and Vitamin E are present in the bran, so brown rice retains a lot more nutritional value.
Brown basmati rice is also a league above plain brown rice. It has a much longer grain and higher amounts of fiber.
6. Tilda Legendary Rice, Pure Original Basmati
Tilda Legendary Rice is another brand that sources their basmati directly from non-GMO farms in the Himalayas, we love that this brand offers not just 10-pound bags, but also 20 pound and 40-pound bulk options.
The packaging is also very sturdy, so it can hold that kind of weight and stay fresh in your pantry until you’re able to use it all up.
Key Features:
- Committed to purity, this rice is meticulously cleaned before being processed for consistent, reliable quality grains
- Listed for sale as a 10-pound bag but delivers with 10% free, so you get 11 pounds in total
- Great nutty flavor and beautiful aroma when cooking
Biggest Drawback: This is not specific to this brand, but the basmati grain from this region really needs to be soaked for about 30 minutes before rinsing and cooking, so this has to be planned into the prep and cook time.
7. Daawat Ultima Extra Long Grain Basmati Rice
As traditional basmati rice, this brand also sources its grains from the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains.
It is perfectly fine rice, with a nice flavor and aroma. It has one of the longest grains of all the different brands but otherwise doesn’t have any features that stand out prominently.
It’s a good buy and if you find it on sale, that could be the deciding factor.
Key Features:
- Extra-long grain
- Rich, buttery, nutty flavor
- Pearly white beautiful coloring
Biggest Drawback: This brand, though it states it is aged for 2 years, it doesn’t seem to be as aromatic as some of the other premium brands. The aroma is a big selling feature for basmati rice in particular.
8. Dunar Elonga Basmati Rice
We like that this brand claims to be favored by emperors and poets, though likely it’s a reference to the type of rice, basmati, rather than the brand.
Aside from good marketing, this company also has paid an impressive amount of detail to the milling and processing of their rice, so the quality is very consistent and respectable.
Key Features:
- High tech, ultra-modern milling and processing equipment
- Very committed to their reputation as a Premium Basmati supplier
- Non-GMO crops
Biggest Drawback: While the rice might be premium quality, the packaging isn’t the absolute best. Unfortunately due to the less than gentle shipping and handling and heavyweight of the product itself, the package has been known to occasionally show up damaged. But then again, what product doesn’t have a little damage at least some of the time?
9. Zafarani Reserve GMO-Free Extra Long Grain Basmati Rice
Zafarani claims that they age their basmati longer than any other brand in the world, leading to a rich aroma and full flavor.
It is very popular in Ethnic markets being known as a high-quality, properly aged rice.
In our research, we could only find a reference to a 1-year aging process which is not the longest on our list, so although this rice has lovely long grains and a pleasing aroma, it sits in 9th place due to suspicious claims.
Key Features:
- Extra-long grains of rice cook up perfectly without sticking together
- Grown and packaged in India with a popular ethnic following, lending to the authenticity rating of the brand
- GMO and Gluten-free
Biggest Drawback: There’s nothing really to call a drawback to this item beyond the fact that it’s popularity thus far has been in ethnic markets which doesn’t provide as social of a review process, so it’s more difficult to collect honest feedback. It’s the wildest card on our list.
BONUS: Khazana Premium Smoked Basmati Rice
This brand is, in our opinion, highly underrated which is why it was added to our list as a bonus.
This is the only smoked basmati rice we came across which may not be as pure and authentic, but it’s wonderfully full of flavor.
The smoked quality comes from the aging process, which is shorter than some of the other brands, but certainly does develop into a rich, nutty flavor.
Key Features:
- No need to soak this type of basmati, so prep time is reduced
- Infused with smoke during the aging process for maximum flavor
- Resealable bag for utmost convenience
Biggest Drawback: The smokiness isn’t traditional for basmati rice, so if you’re a basmati purist, this brand is not for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Basmati Rice
How to cook basmati rice in a rice cooker?
No matter what appliance you use to cook your basmati rice, the secret to a perfect result is to soak the rice for 20–30 minutes first and then rinse it well. A lot of the starchiness will disappear during this prep time and you won’t run the risk of sticky rice.
If you’re cooking your basmati in a rice cooker, first check to see if there are specific instructions on your bag or box. If there aren’t, use 1 cup of rice to every 1 ½ cups of water in your rice cooker.
For added flavor and authenticity, you can also add a cinnamon stick to your rice cooker and/or some cardamom pods. Remove both of these before serving your rice, it’s for fragrance and flavor only.
Set your machine to a standard or regular rice cooking setting and cook for 15 minutes. Fluff your rice well before serving.
Basmati rice vs jasmine rice – what’s the difference?
Basmati rice and jasmine rice are both long-grain varieties that are known for their unique and beautiful aromas, but the texture and flavor is quite different.
There is so much to understand about these two similar yet different varieties, that we’ve gone into detail on the differences between jasmine and basmati rice in a related post.
How to cook basmati rice Indian style?
Basmati rice is primarily grown in India and it is perfect for developing the most mouthwatering Indian cuisine recipes.
To cook basmati rice in a traditional Indian style, you first have to soak your basmati for at least 20–30 minutes and then rinse it very well. Warm traditional Indian spices such as cumin, cardamom, cinnamon and/or cloves in a saucepan with a few tablespoons of oil until they’re nice and fragrant.
Add sliced onion and let it sautee over medium heat until the spices are soaked in, the onion is translucent and starting to turn a golden brown.
Finally, add your clean rice and fry it lightly for 2–3 minutes. Add water according to the package and increase the heat just until the water starts to boil.
Reduce it to a low simmer and allow your rice to cook until all the water is absorbed, usually about 15 minutes.
Remove the rice from the heat and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Fluff and serve.
How to cook basmati rice in the microwave?
Basmati is quick-cooking rice, but contrary to usual experience, the microwave will not speed up the process at all. If you want the signature dry grains, you should always soak and rinse your rice before cooking, even if you’re using the microwave.
If you don’t have time for this step, it won’t ruin your rice by any means, but it will be a bit starchier and stickier.
In a large, microwave-safe dish, add 1 cup of basmati rice to every 1 ½ cups of cold water.
Make sure the dish is large enough that the water won’t bubble over in your microwave and make a mess as well as leave you with undercooked, dry rice.
Cook your rice covered for 10 minutes at medium heat or 60% power, depending on your microwave.
Remove the lid and continue cooking for 5–8 more minutes, testing your rice at 5 minutes for texture. Let your rice rest for 5 minutes, fluff, and serve.
Can you make risotto with basmati rice?
Risotto is traditionally made with Arborio rice, which is a short-grain, starchy rice that is almost the exact opposite of basmati rice. Basmati has a long grain and it leans towards the dry side of the rice spectrum, rather than the sticky, creamy side.
Of course, if you cook your rice with plenty of liquid and let it simmer longer than basmati normally cooks, 20–25 minutes instead of the standard 15, the result will be creamier.
The grains are too long to be a true risotto, but you can develop the right flavor with careful attention to your details.
Up Next: Can You Freeze Uncooked Rice? – The Ultimate Storage Guide
