Basmati has extra-long, slender grains that stay separate and dry after cooking, ideal for Indian dishes such as biryani, pulao and dal with rice. Jasmine rice, sold in the Netherlands as pandanrijst, is softer and slightly sticky and suits Thai and Indonesian food. Basmati usually has a lower glycaemic index than jasmine rice.
What are the differences between basmati and jasmine rice?
The difference lies in the grain and the starch. Basmati contains more amylose, a starch that keeps rice separate and firm; jasmine has less and turns softer.
| Basmati | Jasmine (pandanrijst) | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | India and Pakistan | Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam |
| Grain | Extra long and slender | Long, slightly plumper |
| Once cooked | Separate, dry, lengthened | Soft, slightly sticky |
| Aroma | Nutty | Floral |
| Soaking | Usually 20 to 30 minutes | Usually not |
| Suits | Biryani, pulao, dal, curry | Thai curry, stir-fry, nasi |
Which rice has the lowest glycaemic index?
Basmati usually has a lower glycaemic index (GI) than jasmine rice, according to measurements in the University of Sydney GI database. Values vary by variety, brand and cooking, so treat it as a general direction.
Can you swap basmati for jasmine rice?
In a weeknight curry, yes, but not in biryani or pulao: jasmine rice sticks and breaks in a layered rice dish. Basmati works fine next to a Thai curry, though you lose the soft, floral rice.
Do you cook basmati and jasmine rice the same way?
Almost. Rinse both first. Then soak basmati for 20 to 30 minutes and cook it with about 1.5 times its volume of water; cook jasmine rice without soaking and with a little less water. The full method is in how to cook basmati rice.
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Frequently asked questions
- Why is jasmine rice called pandanrijst in the Netherlands?
- Jasmine rice smells similar to pandan leaf, so Dutch shops usually sell it as pandanrijst, even though it contains no pandan.
- Which basmati is best for biryani?
- Choose extra-long basmati. The longer the grain, the better the layers hold in a biryani.
- Is brown basmati the same?
- Brown basmati is unpolished basmati. It has more fibre, a firmer bite and a longer cooking time.