All India Rice Exporters Association Adchini, Delhi

A rice of the connoisseurs, Basmati is non-glutinous and has a fine, smooth and silky texture. The rice has been favored by emperors and praised by poets for hundreds of years. In the older times, Basmati could only be grown in the special fields for the kings and was always treasured and guarded by nobles. Ordinary people were not allowed in the vicinity of the fields and taking Basmati grain was a punishable offence. The supremacy of Basmati over other varieties is predominantly due to its unique and delicately balanced combination of a number of characteristics such as superfine (long slender) kernels, exquisite aroma, sweet taste, soft texture and delicate curvature, all of which makes it excellent for cooking. Its nut-like flavor and aroma is unique in the world. Like all naturally beautiful products Basmati Rice cannot be artificially created. It is Mother Nature (the soil and climatic conditions of the Himalayan foothills) that itself provides for its unique aroma and taste. There is no surprise that Basmati world over draws the highest premium because of its special characteristics. So it is said that - "Basmati is to rice what Champagne is to wine and Scotch is to whisky". With the passage of time, several varieties of Aromatic Rice have been developed but the mystique of Basmati remains eternal.