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The word Basmati is derived from the Sanskrit word which translates into fragrant. This goes on to explain why and how Basmati rice has got its name. Basmati rice is undoubtedly the most sophisticated variety of rice that is found in India. These were massively cultivated in the Indian subcontinent and that's how they got introduced to traders from different parts of the world.
Rice is an indispensable part of Indian cuisine. So many Indian recipes are incomplete without rice which is why high-quality rice is extremely important in India. Basmati rice is soft, long and full of fragrance. Along with India, Basmati rice is also cultivated in central Asia, Persia and many parts of the Middle East. Here are some of the lesser-known facts about Basmati rice that make it so special.
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* Fragrance
Basmati rice is the opportune variety of rice used for cooking biryani. It gives out the perfect aroma and the kitchen starts smelling heavenly as soon as Basmati rice starts getting cooked. The reason why Basmati rice smells so good, is because of the presence of various compounds like hydrocarbons, alcohol esters, aldehydes, and so many other things. All of these compounds give Basmati rice its delicious fragrance.
* Basmati Production
India is the largest producer of Basmati rice in the world. 70% of the total Basmati production in the world is done by India. Haryana is responsible for producing 60% of the total Basmati rice produced in India which is followed by Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Every year around 8 Million to 12 Million tones of Basmati rice is cultivated in India and out of this, ⅔ is exported into different parts of the world. The remaining part is consumed by the people of India.
* Highly Nutritious
Basmati rice is extremely nutritious and is rich in a lot of antioxidants and vitamins. Vitamin B is abundantly available in Basmati rice along with magnesium. Magnesium is beneficial to the body as it helps in making the function of the nervous system better. Additionally, selenium is also responsible for strengthening the immunity of the body and further protects the body from any kind of injury and germs.
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* Shape Of Rice
The shape of Basmati rice is what makes it different. Basmati rice has a very slender shape, and upon cooking the rice, it elongates to twice its size. Also, you will see that even if the rice increases its length upon boiling, the width of the rice remains the same which gives it a very sleek shape. So, this variety of rice looks extremely beautiful when kept on the plate and this is the reason why they're considered a very sophisticated and expensive variety of rice.
* Fibrous
Basmati rice is extremely fibrous and if you compare it with the normal brown rice, then you will find that they have nearly 20% more fibre content as compared to the normal brown rice. One of the biggest advantages of eating brown rice is the high fibre content which also restricts the production of cancer cells in the body. Many researchers have found the benefits of eating food that is high in fibre and preventing different types of cancers. Also, the high fibrous content makes you feel full even after consuming a small amount of rice. This prevents overheating.
* Worldwide Production
Different varieties of Basmati rice are also grown in various parts of the world. In the US, a special variety of rice that is very similar to Basmati is called Texamati and Kasmati. These are becoming popular among the citizens of the country. Although the flavour of these varieties of rice is good, there is nothing when compared to the original Basmati rice. Both these US-grown varieties of rice are a hybrid production of Basmati rice and the white rice that are commonly available in the US. These varieties of rice can be used for a variety of purposes like salad bowls, soups rice bowls, et cetera.
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* Low Glycemic Acid
As per a research paper published by the Diabetes Association of Canada, Basmati rice has the lowest levels of glycemic acid as compared to any other variety of rice. Low glycemic acid is very important for people who want to eat rice and are suffering from diabetes. Since Basmati rice is very rich in fiber and protein, the glycemic acid levels are very low, and thus it is safe for consumption by people suffering from diabetes. It does not lead to an increase in the blood sugar levels of a person at all. This automatically leads to a lower level of insulin in the body.
These are some of the lesser-known facts about Basmati rice. Basmati rice is one of the most important varieties of rice found not only in India but in the world. It is truly an Indian treasure and there is nothing like it.
