Is 'Indian basmati' rice white or brown?

Question

I have been looking for brown (whole grain) basmati rice. Most of the basmati I can find just says 'Indian Basmati' and does not say whether it is white or brown. I wondered if the name 'indian' basmati means anything that way. Do any of you know whether this rice is whole grain or the nutritionally-void white stuff?

Answer 1

Brown Basmati is visibly brown, and is most reliably found in Natural Foods stores, or the Natural/Health/Organic foods aisle of a regular supermarket.

Lundberg is one widely available brand.

Answer 2

Indian Basmati Rice is usually the white one. In India 99% people eat white rice. Eating Brown rice is more of a fashion than mainstream daily food.



However you will get Brown Basmati as well, since brown rice is in demand in North American Countries, specially in USA and Canada, Basmati Marketing companies now pack Brown variety as well.



You need to check for this mentioned on the pack, usually packs have a transparent area to see through the grain, you can check that also to make sure you are getting the brown rice only.

Answer 3

Basmati is a type of long grain rice originating in India. All varieties of rice including Basmati start off with a husk and are called Brown rice. The Brown husk contains all the nutrients of the rice. When the husk is removed, the rice is now white.



Your recipe calling for Indian Basmati is most likely calling for the white rice. South Asian peoples of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh mostly eat white rice. White Basmati rice actually is a little healthier than plain long grain rice because it has less starch.



You can always substitute brown for white rice though in any recipe. Sometimes I cook both and do a mixture of half and half. Remember that brown rice takes a little more water and more time to cook than white.

Answer 4

Brown basmati rice is whole grain as the bran layer that has nutritional values will not be removed. (Husk will be removed as with white rice) while the white basmati is not whole grain as the bran will be removed.



Indian Basmati is mostly white that you get in Indian grocery stores. You may check for the brown ones if you need brown rice with the manager/ cashier. i have never come across a brown basmati rice in Indian/ Irani grocery stores, it is always white.

Answer 5

*'Indian basmati' rice is white as well as a brown

variety !

It depends upon what type u require for yr

dish ....!

The brown variety is the whole grain one & is

visibly brown .... so u can distinguish bet. the 2 variety

at a glance !!~☺

BTW, the white rice is not really the

''nutritionally-void white stuff'' .....i.e. if u don't discard

the water in which it has been cooked !

It is nutritious as well !

Answer 6

Indians use white basmati. Like the Chinese, white rice is considered aesthetically pleasing in India.

Answer 7

Indians mostly use white basmati rice

Answer 8

It comes as both, check the label of what you are buying.



It is less prone to clumping together than regular white long grain white rice which makes it popular and it has a lower GI rating.