Grain

Basmati Rice

What is Basmati Rice?

Basmati rice is the long-grain rice behind Pakistani biryani, pulao and everyday steamed rice, prized for staying separate and fluffy.

What does it taste like?

Fragrant, clean and nutty, with a distinct aroma that intensifies as it cooks — the reason it's chosen over shorter-grain rice for biryani..

How Pakistanis use it

Basmati is essential to biryani and pulao, where keeping each grain separate rather than clumped matters as much as flavour. Rinsing the rice before cooking to remove surface starch, and not over-stirring once it's in the pot, are the two habits that most affect whether the final result stays fluffy..

Where to buy it

Look for aged extra-long grain basmati rather than the cheapest available bag; aging improves both aroma and how well the grains hold their shape when cooked..

Substitutes

Another long-grain rice can be used with adjusted water and cooking time, but it won't have basmati's aroma or the same grain elongation on cooking..

Storage

Seal dry rice away from moisture and pests; stored this way it keeps for a long time without losing quality..