What Is Brown Basmati Rice? (Ingredients, Appearance, Uses + More Common FAQs)

White rice can be addictive, so if you’re attempting to have more nutritious meals or to manage your weight, you’ll likely be drawn to brown rice.

Fortunately, brown rice comes in varieties, too, and one of them is brown Basmati rice, but you might be wondering what exactly brown Basmati rice is. Here’s what I found!

What Is Brown Basmati Rice?

Brown Basmati rice is simply Basmati rice that has been dehusked, hence its brown color. Nevertheless, brown Basmati rice still retains its bran layer and germ.  As such, brown Basmati rice is considered unpolished and more nutritious than white Basmati rice. Additionally, brown Basmati rice has a stronger nutty flavor and aroma and a chewy texture.

In case you’re interested to learn more about the qualities of brown Basmati rice and what makes brown Basmati rice a great alternative to regular Basmati rice, keep reading!

What Is Brown Basmati Rice Made Of?

Like other brown rice, brown Basmati rice consists of the grains’ bran layer, germ, and the starchy endosperm. In comparison, white Basmati rice is only made up of the endosperm.

Additionally, brown Basmati rice is packed with micronutrients. A serving of brown Basmati rice can provide five grams of protein and around one gram of fiber.

What Is Sprouted Brown Basmati Rice?

Sprouted brown rice, also known as germinated brown rice, are brown Basmati rice grains that have been allowed to germinate or begin to develop into a new crop.

Once the brown Basmati rice grains have entered the first phase of germination, the grains are dried to stop them from developing further.

By letting the germination process begin, the starches in brown Basmati rice would have already been broken down. Consequently, sprouted brown Basmati rice is easier to digest.

What Is Aged Brown Basmati Rice?

Aged brown Basmati rice is brown Basmati rice that has been aged for around two years before being packed and sold.

By aging the brown Basmati rice, the grains lose their moisture and the flavors begin to concentrate, hence giving the brown Basmati rice a richer flavor once cooked.

Additionally, aging brown Basmati rice tends to be firmer and have a more defined shape after cooking.

What GI Is Brown Basmati Rice?

Brown Basmati rice has a glycemic index ranging between 50-58. As such, brown Basmati rice is considered a low GI food.

What Does Brown Basmati Rice Look Like?

What Does Brown Basmati Rice Look Like?

Brown Basmati rice has long, pointed grains that are lengthier than most types of long-grain rice. Additionally, brown Basmati rice is a light shade of brown and almost yellowish.

Is Brown Basmati Rice The Same As Brown Rice?

Apart from being longer and more aromatic, brown Basmati rice is still the same as other types of brown rice in terms of taste and nutritional value.

Is Brown Basmati Rice Better Than White?

Brown Basmati rice does have the same or even slightly higher amount of calories than white Basmati rice.

Ultimately, whichever the superior rice depends on a person’s preferences and dietary requirements.

What Is Brown Basmati Rice Used For?

Brown Basmati rice can be used to make several dishes, including those that typically involve white Basmati rice and other types of brown rice.

You can use brown Basmati rice for gratins, stir-fries, salads, vegetable stew, pilafs, biryani, and curries.

Additionally, you’ll find that brown Basmati rice is an excellent choice for Indian cuisine.

Is Brown Basmati Rice Good For Weight Loss?

Brown Basmati rice contains fewer calories than white Basmati rice and other white rice variants.

While the difference is not significant, the accumulated amount of calories you’ll save by switching to brown Basmati rice can be impressive.

Additionally, brown Basmati rice has more fiber, and this will help you feel fuller and therefore promote fewer servings of rice.

Does Brown Basmati Rice Take Longer To Cook?

Brown Basmati rice doesn’t take as long as other brown rice variants to cook, especially if you use the wash and drain method.

Typically, cooking brown Basmati rice only takes fourteen minutes. However, if you use a rice cooker or an oven, it might take around 30-75 minutes to cook.

How Do You Cook Brown Basmati Rice In A Rice Cooker?

To cook brown Basmati rice in a rice cooker, you’ll want to make sure that you’re using the correct water to rice ratio.

For brown Basmati rice that originates in India or Pakistan, use a ratio of 2 ½ cups of water to 1 cup of brown Basmati rice.

As for brown Basmati rice that comes from America, simply use 2 cups of water for every cup of brown Basmati rice.

Moreover, rinsing is optional, not mandatory. If the grains are covered in starch, rinsing is a good idea. Otherwise, Basmati rice can be cooked well without being washed at all.

Does Brown Basmati Rice Have Arsenic?

Brown Basmati rice contains arsenic, although in different amounts depending on where you’re getting your brown Basmati rice.

Typically, brown Basmati rice cultivated in Pakistan, India, and California has less inorganic arsenic than other brown rice variants around the world.

What Is The Shelf Life Of Brown Basmati Rice?

Brown Basmati rice does not last indefinitely like white Basmati rice. In fact, uncooked brown Basmati rice can often last in the pantry for only three to six months.

When stored in the fridge, uncooked brown Basmati rice may last from six to twelve months. Meanwhile, uncooked brown Basmati rice may last up to eighteen months in the freezer.

Once cooked, brown Basmati rice will stay fresh in the fridge for only four to six days. In the freezer, cooked brown Basmati rice can last for six months.

Nevertheless, whether brown Basmati rice maximizes its shelf life depends on how you cook the rice, whether you’re using an airtight container, and the temperature of your fridge.

Take a look at our other articles to learn what baby rice is, what boiled rice is, and what biryani rice is.

Conclusion

Brown Basmati rice is more flavorful, nutritious, and satiating than white Basmati rice. Like other brown rice, brown Basmati rice still contains its bran and germ layers.

Additionally, brown Basmati rice has distinguishable grains that are known for their firmness and length.

Similar to white Basmati rice, brown Basmati rice can be used to make all kinds of Indian and Pakistani dishes.

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