Basmati

Basmati (pronounced IPA: [baːsmət̪iː] in South Asia) is a variety of long, slender grain aromatic rice which is traditionally from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. As of 2014, India supplies 65 percent of the overseas basmati rice market, while Pakistan accounts for the rest, according to the state-run Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.

History and etymology

"Basmati" derives from the Sanskrit word बासमती vasmati, meaning "fragrant". Basmati rice is believed to have been cultivated in the Indian Subcontinent for centuries. The earliest extant work to mention the basmati rice is Heer Ranjha (1766).

Basmati was introduced to the Middle East by Indian traders. Through cultural exchange, it remains not only an important part of various Indian/Pakistani cuisines, but now is also used extensively in Persian, Arabic, and other Middle Eastern cuisines, as well. India and Pakistan are the exclusive growers and exporters of this type of rice.

Production and cultivation