The delightful aroma and unique taste make Indian basmati rice different from other rice varieties. The high demand and popularity of basmati rice worldwide validate this fact. For centuries, basmati rice exporters and suppliers in India have been exporting high-quality basmati rice globally. That is why India recently got the position of the second largest exporter of rice in the world.
Basmati rice suppliers in India provide different varieties of rice. If we talk about steamed basmati rice and sella rice, both of them are categories of basmati rice known for having extra-long slender grains. But they have different specifications and special properties. Continue reading the blog to learn more about the key differences between steam and sella rice.
Steam and Sella rice are processed differently. If we talk about the steam rice manufacturing process, during the steaming process, steam passes through paddy rice, then the rice is dried, and the outer layer is removed. It results in a hard white rice grain and does not break apart when cooked. But it expands twice its original size and has a delicious taste, strong aroma and unique flavor.
All these qualities make steamed basmati rice stand out from other rice types. Not only this, but the special properties of the rice make it easy to digest. The rice is 8.8 meters long before cooking, and after steaming, it retains its taste, color and aroma as aged rice.
This means you don’t need to store it for 10 to 12 months. Steam basmati rice is popular because of its high quality and good price. Since it is processed by steaming, it looks clean and appealing.
Sella basmati rice is a type of parboiled rice that always remains in high demand. It is one of the topmost types of rice that is prepared through the steaming and milling process. Simply put, the rice is processed by steaming the paddy and then drying it. Steaming makes it easy to remove the husk and reduces damage to the seed coat and tissues.
This process helps the rice retain its vitamins and minerals. Sella basmati rice typically measures about 8.30 mm and is known for its excellent quality. In addition, it has a great taste, fine texture, pleasant aroma and does not stick together when cooked. That is why this variety of rice is used both commercially and at home.
The first and foremost difference between the two is the processes (parboiling and steaming). In parboiling, paddy grains are soaked in water for a while and dried before milling. In contrast, the steaming process involves passing steam through the paddy grans and then drying them to remove the layers.
This makes the rice ready for supply. In other words, although both rice variants go through similar steps, Sella rice involves additional processes. It means Sella rice is richer in nutrients than steamed basmati rice.
Some nutrients move from the bran into the starchy part of the rice in parboiling. Although there is some loss of nutrients during this process, the milling process helps recover these nutrients. However, steamed rice does not go through this process.
Parboiled rice contains 194 calories per 100 grams, while steamed rice has 205 calories per 100 grams. Both rice varieties have the same amount of fat- 0.5 grams.
Despite slightly different calorie values, parboiled rice is often considered more nutritious because it retains the necessary nutrients needed for energy and daily bodily functions.
With rice being a staple food in India, different types of rice have different processing methods. And both Sella and steamed rice are high-quality options. Top rice manufacturers & suppliers in India, like DRRK, work hard to offer high-quality rice at the best prices. If you are interested to know more about our premium rice varieties, contact us today!
Ans. Yes, steamed rice is heart-healthy and a good source of a soluble fiber known as butyrate. Butyrate helps reduce inflammation and improves gut health. Besides this, steamed cooked basmati rice is also lower in calories than rice prepared using other methods. Hence, it is a very nutritious and best option for daily meals.
Ans. Both steamed and raw rice are rich in nutrients. While raw or uncooked rice is directly milled from the paddy, steamed rice is dried before milling. This partial cooking process gives steamed basmati rice a lower glycemic index than raw rice.
Moreover, Steam rice has a high fiber content and more nutritional value as it is high in vitamins and minerals. As a result, it supports digestive health. People mostly use steamed rice when cooking because it retains its nutrients even after washing or cooking.
Ans. The key difference between steamed and boiled rice lies in the cooking method. While boiled rice is cooked by submerging the rice grains in a pot of boiling water, steamed rice is cooked using the indirect heat of steam.
Boiled rice absorbs more water during cooking and can be stickier than steamed rice. Moreover, it has a slightly mushy and softer texture compared to steamed rice, which is fluffier and has a different texture.