Today I want to talk about Basmati vs Jasmine rice, and really look at the differences in taste, nutrition, and when to use them.
The beauty of rice is in the texture as well as the flavor.
These qualities can of course differ, depending on what you cook your rice with. The type of rice you use also plays a big part.
While there are many options, basmati and jasmine rice are two popular choices, particularly in Asian cuisine.
Basmati vs Jasmine Rice: Differences
Origin
Commonly known as Thai fragrant rice, jasmine rice comes from SouthEast Asia and is primarily grown in Thailand.
Basmati rice is also from Asia. While there are many countries that now grow it domestically, it was originally cultivated in India and Pakistan.
Appearance
One way to tell the difference between uncooked basmati and jasmine rice is by looking at the grain size and shape.
Jasmine rice grains have slightly rounded ends and are a bit clearer.
On the other hand, basmati rice grains are more slender and have much sharper ends.
* If you like Asian food, I’ve made some great video’s with recipes & ingredient explanation on Youtube you’d probably enjoy:
Subscribe on Youtube
Cooking Time & Method
The cooking technique used for jasmine rice and basmati rice also differs.
The rice to water ratio matters: 1 cup of basmati rice usually needs 1 and ½ cups of water. This is the same for jasmine rice
Basmati rice is then cooked as follows:
- The rice should be soaked in water for at least half an hour before cooking it.
- Once the grains have absorbed some liquid, bring the rice to a boil in salted water.
- Then, cover the lid and turn the heat down, letting it cook for 15 minutes.
- Drain any excess water.
Alternatively, when cooking jasmine rice, proceed as follows:
- Start by rinsing your rice a few times. This will get rid of the surface starch, which would otherwise make your rice even more clumped together.
- Boil your water in a saucepan and then stir in the rice and salt.
- Cover the pot and reduce heat to low, letting your rice cook for 15 minutes until all of the water is absorbed.
If in either of these situations your rice is still too firm, add a few more tablespoons of water, then cover the pan and let the rice absorb the rest of the liquid.
Big fan of either basmati or jasmine rice, and want to make cooking it easier? Go for the best rice cooker out there!
Basmati vs Jasmine Rice Taste
Basmati translates to ‘full of fragrance’, and true to its name, basmati rice has a strong nutty flavor and aroma.
Jasmine rice also has a nutty taste but is more delicate. As its name suggests, it has a floral aroma, and you may smell a sweet pop-corn like scent when cooking this rice.
Basmati rice is typically much drier than jasmine rice. If you want to enhance flavor in either, add a little butter or olive oil when cooking your rice.
Both types of rice go great with a number of Asian and Caribbean dishes, such as a spicy curry or Jamaican jerk chicken.
Jasmine rice goes especially well with sweet and sour chicken, salmon, and beef stir-fry.
Basmati works well with chicken or seafood.
It is also commonly seen in biryani or pilau. These are popular Asian mixed rice dishes served with meat, grated carrots and raisins.
Basmati vs Jasmine Rice Grain
Basmati rice is a type of long-grain rice, as is jasmine rice.
This means their grains are slim and have a length 4-5 times longer than their width.
Basmati rice grains get two times bigger in size once cooked and stay separate, whereas jasmine rice becomes moist and clumps together slightly, giving it a soft and sticky texture.
On the other hand, basmati rice has a more dry and fluffy texture.
Each type of rice comes in both white and whole-grain varieties.
Basmati vs Jasmine Rice: Which is Healthier?
The nutritional value of basmati and jasmine rice are quite similar.
However, the whole-grain varieties of each are definitely the healthiest choice.
These unprocessed varieties of brown rice contain more fiber, protein, and antioxidants than their white rice varieties.
They are also richer in vitamins and minerals, which adds to their nutritional value.
The whole-grain element of brown basmati and brown jasmine rice has several other health benefits too and can help lower cholesterol and improve digestion.
Basmati rice contains slightly fewer calories per cup and has higher values of iron and calcium.
It can therefore be considered the healthier choice, but only by a small leeway.
Basmati vs Jasmine Rice Glycemic Index
The glycemic index (GI) is a system that rates foods containing carbohydrates. It can tell you how quickly each food affects your blood sugar level when eaten.
The lower the GI score, the longer it takes for your body to digest that food.
Brown basmati rice has a GI in the 50s. This is considered low, and is great for diabetes management as this slow release of energy can stabilize both insulin and blood sugar levels.
In contrast, jasmine rice has a GI of up to 80. This is quite high and means your body burns through the energy from this type of rice faster.
However, it is uncommon to eat rice by itself, and the food you pair it with can reduce its GI by 20-40%.
Basmati Rice vs Jasmine Rice Bodybuilding
Jasmine and basmati rice both contain complex carbs, and therefore serve as great energy boosters. The protein contained in these types of rice also makes them ideal for bodybuilding.
The low GI score of basmati rice means it is digested and metabolized slower.
As a result, you will feel full for longer, helping with weight loss or management.
However, for bodybuilding and muscle gain, the slightly higher number of calories provided by jasmine rice can make it a better choice.
Basmati vs Jasmine Rice for Paella
Despite their Asian origin, basmati and jasmine rice each work great in a selection of dishes from other continents.
This includes Paella, a well-loved dish in Spanish cuisine. Since Paella typically requires short-grain rice, the rounded grains of jasmine rice are preferable.
This is because they will absorb liquid better, as opposed to the grains of basmati rice, which are usually more slender and have sharper ends.
Basmati vs Jasmine Rice for Fried Rice
Though jasmine rice works great as part of a stir fry, it might not fare quite as well when used for fried rice.
This is because the texture becomes soft when cooked, and can easily become too soggy and clumped together for fried rice.
Therefore, for this dish, basmati rice can work better as it is typically much drier.
However, regardless of rice type, one tip is to cook your rice in advance and chill it before frying. This ensures it stays nice and firm for your fried rice.
Basmati vs Jasmine Rice for Curry
You can use either basmati or jasmine rice when cooking a curry.
However, the fluffy long-grained texture of basmati rice is the classic companion of a South Asian curry.
Its strong, distinctive taste is known to enhance flavor, and can also complement the overall aroma of your dish.
Meanwhile, the soft and slightly sticky texture of jasmine rice might be a tad too moist for some curry dishes.
Basmati vs Jasmine Rice in Instant Pot
When making rice, the Instant Pot can certainly be a handy kitchen appliance.
The good thing is that you can use both basmati and jasmine rice with this type of cooker.
For basmati rice, it is still worth soaking it for up to 30 minutes so that the grains absorb some liquid before being cooked in the Instant Pot.
Jasmine rice does not need to be soaked before you cook it in an Instant Pot, as doing so will only make it soggier.
However, it should still be rinsed a few times beforehand.
Can Dogs Eat Basmati or Jasmine Rice?
Both of these rice types are perfectly safe for dogs to eat. Some commercial dog foods even contain this ingredient.
Since rice has many health benefits including helping with digestion, it is common for pet owners to feed their dogs plain rice when they have an upset stomach.
What’s Better: Basmati or Jasmine Rice?
Overall, both basmati and jasmine rice offer fantastic flavors, textures, and nutritional value.
They are quite evenly matched in their health benefits, however basmati rice can be better for weight loss due to its low GI.
For bodybuilding, jasmine rice is slightly in the lead.
The question of which is the superior rice type is totally subjective, and will usually depend on the dish you are making.
They can be substituted in some recipes, but shouldn’t be in others.
For example, you could pair either with a curry, though basmati rice is more typically used.
However, jasmine rice would work better than basmati rice for a rice pudding, due to its soft and more creamy texture.
