The difference between jasmine and basmati rice

If you are a person who is not very into cooking, you may find it difficult to distinguish between rice and basmati rice.

So what is the difference between jasmine and basmati rice?

Although both jasmine and basmati rice are long-grain rice varieties, it’s easy to tell them apart by paying attention to the grain size of uncooked rice and the texture of cooked rice. Uncooked basmati rice has longer, sharper grains. And when cooked, jasmine rice is moist and lumpy, as opposed to the fluffy, dry texture of basmati.

Read on if you want to know everything that differentiates jasmine rice from basmati.

Jasmine Rice vs. Basmati Rice: How to Tell the Difference

Jasmine rice and basmati rice are two types of aromatic rice that are widely used around the world. Although there are certain similarities between the two types, there are also some key features that set them apart.

Origin

Although both basmati and jasmine rice originate from the Asian continent, they come from different countries and are very popular in their cuisines.

Originating from Thailand, jasmine rice is widely used in Taiwanese cuisine . It is also cultivated in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Basmati rice, meanwhile, comes from the foothills of the Himalayas.  It is a very popular variety of rice in Indian cuisine. Basmati rice is also popular in Pakistani cuisine.

The cereal sections of supermarkets are full of all kinds of rice from different countries. Today, rice is also grown in many non-Asian parts of the world.

However, although they can be good, it is recommended to buy imported rice to feel the true aroma of jasmine and basmati rice.

Our favorite authentic basmati rice is this one from Amazon, and the best jasmine rice is by far this one. Consider buying these, or some other true imported rice, instead of buying whatever your local market has.

Appearance

If you want to distinguish between uncooked jasmine and basmati rice, grain size and shape are the key indicators to help you tell which is which.

Jasmine rice is a type of long grain rice. It has slightly rounded ends and is a bit translucent. 

While basmati rice is also considered a long grain rice, it could be called extra long since the grains are longer, thinner, and the ends are much sharper. 

Aroma and flavor

As its name suggests, jasmine rice has a flowery aroma. When cooking this type of rice you will feel a sweet aroma similar to that of popcorn. Taste-wise, jasmine rice is slightly sweet and nutty in flavor.

Basmati rice is quite aromatic, which is not surprising when you know that “basmati” translates as “full of fragrance.” Basmati rice has a nutty flavor and aroma.

Texture

It is much easier to distinguish between jasmine and basmati rice once cooked.

Basmati rice doubles in size once cooked. The grains remain separate and much drier than those of jasmine rice. Jasmine rice, once cooked, is moist and slightly clumpy. Basmati rice is much drier than jasmine rice.

Compared to the moist, lumpy nature of jasmine rice, basmati rice is fluffy. 

The texture of cooked basmati rice and jasmine rice has to do with their molecular structure.

In basmati rice there is a lot of amylose, which is a form of starch that forms tight grains of rice. This is why basmati rice maintains its structure and remains distinct when cooked.

Jasmine rice, on the other hand, contains amylopectin, a highly branched molecule. By having more amylopectin in the starch than amylose, jasmine rice grains lose their structure slightly and become cakey.

cooking technique

If you’re eating rice and you can’t tell if it’s jasmine or basmati rice, it’s not the end of the world. However, you need to be able to tell the difference if you want to make a dish with either.

Since the texture of basmati and jasmine rice is different, the cooking techniques are not the same either. 

When cooking jasmine rice, you should rinse it several times until the water runs clear. Not only will it remove dust and debris, but it will also get rid of the starch on the surface. The latter, if not removed, will cause the jasmine rice grains to clump together even more than usual.

For jasmine rice the absorption method is used.  The latter involves adding a measured amount of liquid to the rice so that it absorbs all of it at the end of the cooking process. You can also use the steaming method to cook jasmine rice.

As for basmati rice, the cooking technique is quite different.  If you plan to prepare a meal with this type of rice, you will need to soak it in water for at least half an hour before cooking it.

Once the grains have absorbed some of the water, the basmati rice is boiled in salted water. You can drain the excess water once the rice is cooked. This technique will result in evenly cooked basmati rice.

Can you cook jasmine rice and basmati rice in a rice cooker?

You can cook both basmati and jasmine rice in a rice cooker. However, even in this case, you should soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes before putting it in the rice cooker.

The thing to keep in mind when making basmati rice with this handy kitchen appliance is that you should add less water than indicated in the rice cooker instructions.  You can add a small amount of butter or oil to keep the grains separate. When the rice is cooked, take a fork and fluff up the basmati rice.

Varieties

Both jasmine rice and basmati rice can come in two “colors”: white and brown. 

The white version is the polished type, which means the bran has been removed from the grains. The brown version is the non-polished type. The latter contains fewer carbohydrates.

Jasmine rice vs. Basmati Rice: Nutrition Facts

Jasmine and basmati rice are quite similar when it comes to nutrition. Both types of rice contain complex carbohydrates and serve as great energy boosters.

As for calories, 1 cup of cooked jasmine rice contains slightly more calories than basmati rice. However, both types of rice are low in fat and cholesterol.

Glycemic index

The glycemic index (GI) of basmati rice is almost two times lower than that of jasmine rice. The GI of basmati rice is 58, while that of jasmine rice is around 109.

Foods that have a low GI, such as basmati rice, are slowly digested and metabolized . It’s a good choice if you’re someone trying to keep hunger at bay and manage their weight. Also, low GI products tend to lower insulin and blood sugar levels.

Is basmati rice healthier than jasmine rice?

If you have to choose between jasmine and basmati rice, not depending on the dish you are preparing, but for the mere fact of which one is healthy, go for brown basmati and brown jasmine rice.

Unpolished varieties have more fiber and protein and are packed with more nutritional value.

Can you substitute jasmine rice for basmati?

If you consume plain long grain white rice, then you should substitute these aromatic varieties.

However, when it comes to substituting jasmine rice and basmati rice for something else, the dish you are preparing plays a crucial role.  Since jasmine rice and basmati rice differ greatly in their texture, each is used in specific types of recipes. 

You can cook tasty pilaf with both basmati rice and jasmine rice. However, you can make a delicious creamy pudding with jasmine rice and not basmati. And the best Indian curry always turns out with perfectly cooked aromatic basmati rice.

What goes well with jasmine rice?

Jasmine rice is very versatile. It can serve as a wonderful garnish for stir-fries or grilled vegetables or proteins. It is also a very good garnish for savory stews with a lot of sauce.

Here are a few easy pairings with aromatic white jasmine rice:

• Jasmine rice with marinated sweet and sour chicken and pineapple
• Crispy salmon with lemon jasmine rice
• A beef and broccoli stir fry with a side of jasmine rice
• White jasmine rice with a comforting vegetable curry

What to cook with basmati rice?

Originally from India, the first dishes associated with basmati rice are traditional Indian dishes.

Basmati rice pairs well with a variety of different ingredients. Due to its aromatic nature and fluffy texture, this rice is almost good on its own.

You can serve basmati rice as a side dish for chicken and vegetables. If you like seafood, basmati rice cooked with coconut milk and prawns will be your favourite . In fact, basmati rice is so versatile that you can use it in anything from Indian biriyani to Spanish paella.