Basmati and jasmine rice are often confused at first glance because they look almost the same. They are both long grain varieties and they both produce a pleasant aroma when cooked. The aim of this article is to highlight some of the differences between basmati and jasmine rice. Their similarities will also be highlighted. It is my hope that when you finish reading this article you will be able to tell the difference between the 2 whether they are cooked or not. Brief explanations will be given on what basmati and jasmine rice are so that when the differences and similarities are explained you will have a better understanding.
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Basmati rice
This is a long grain type of rice that originated in India and Pakistan, but it is now grown in different countries including the USA, however the imported version if often better in terms of quality. Basmati rice is an aromatic type of rice and the name basmati is translated to mean full of fragrance. It can be found in 2 varieties that are either white or brown basmati rice. Basmati rice is usually soaked in water before cooking so as to remove the excess starch.
Jasmine rice
Originally jasmine rice comes from Thailand and the locals refer to it as Khao Hom Mali. Jasmine rice is also another type of long grain rice which has aroma and flavour to it that is why it is often referred to as the Thai fragrant rice. Jasmine rice is used in many Southeast Asian dishes. When jasmine rice is cooked it produces a sweet smelling jasmine flowery aroma that is the reason why it was termed jasmine rice. It can be found in 2 varieties that is either brown or white jasmine rice so you can choose your preferred choice. It is worth noting that jasmine rice is also grown in other neighbouring countries of Thailand for example Cambodia and Vietnam.
Differences between basmati and jasmine rice
Origins
The first difference to note between basmati rice and jasmine rice is that they originated from 2 different parts of the world. Basmati originally originated in northern India and Pakistan whereas jasmine rice originated from Thailand. It is important to know that although they have their distinct origins, they are now both grown in different parts of the world.
Appearance
The other difference to note between basmati rice and jasmine rice is that the grains of basmati rice are longer, slenderer and the ends are much sharper whereas the grains of jasmine rice are slightly shorter and rounder. When basmati rice is cooked the grains elongate to almost twice their size and they become softer and fluffier as compared to jasmine rice which tends to clump up when cooked.
Aroma and flavour
Both basmati and jasmine rice have a nice aroma and flavour to them just like their names suggest. However, basmati rice has a nutty flavour and aroma whereas jasmine rice has a floral aroma. Jasmine rice has a slightly sweet and nutty flavour when it is compared to basmati rice.
Texture
Basmati rice has a nicer texture as compared to jasmine rice when it is cooked. Basmati rice becomes two times bigger in size when it is cooked whereas jasmine rice does not. Furthermore, the grains of basmati rice stay separated when cooked and they are much drier while the grains of jasmine rice tend to get moister and clumped together when they are cooked, thus making it perfect for eating with chop sticks.
To add on, the reason why basmati rice becomes fluffy when cooked as compared to jasmine rice which clumps together when cooked is because there is a lot of amylose in basmati rice. Amylose is a form of starch found in basmati rice that helps to create tight grains of rice. The amylose helps the basmati rice to hold its structure when it is being cooked, that is why it does not clump together. On the other hand jasmine rice contains a lot amylopectin and not amylose and this is a highly branched molecule so when the jasmine rice is cooked that is why it clumps up together.
Cooking techniques
The methods used to cook jasmine and basmati rice are different. This is because these 2 types of rice produce different end results when cooked. The jasmine rice is usually cooked using the absorption method or the steaming method whereas the basmati rice is usually soaked before cooking so as to remove the excess starch.
Similarities between basmati and jasmine rice
Appearance
Basmati and jasmine rice are both long grain type of rice and they are quite expensive as compared to other type of white rice. At first glance jasmine and basmati rice look exactly the same.
Furthermore, basmati and jasmine rice come in 2 colours that is white and brown. So you can easily chose the one you prefer.
Aroma and flavour
Both basmati and jasmine rice are aromatic rice. This is because they share a compound known as 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline which gives them both an aroma and flavour which is pandan-like or a popcorn like aroma.
Conclusion
Basmati and jasmine rice are often confused but the 2 have their differences and similarities. The article has given a brief explanations of what basmati and jasmine rice are. It then moved on to note some of the differences and similarities between the 2. Some of the differences include the fact that their appearance are different, basmati rice has longer grains which are slenderer and pointed whereas jasmine rice has grains which are slightly shorter and rounder. The texture of basmati and jasmine rice is also different especially when they are cooked. The aroma and flavour is also another difference noted in the above article. The similarities that emanated from the article include the fact that both jasmine and basmati rice are long grain varieties which have an aroma. They are also quite expensive as compared to other types of rice. The article has equipped you with some of the tips that you can use to distinguish basmati rice from jasmine rice.
