Types of Indian Rice | Popular & Traditional Varieties

Types of Rice in India: A Simple Guide for Every Home Cook

Rice is more than just food in India – it’s part of our daily life, our culture, and our celebrations. With over 6,000 different varieties grown across the country, India is home to an incredible diversity of types of Indian rice. Whether you’re cooking a quick meal for your family or preparing something special for guests, choosing the right rice can make your dish taste amazing. With so many types of rice in India available across different regions, it’s easy to feel confused about which one to pick.

The good news is that understanding the various types of Indian rice doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you know the basics about different rice varieties, you’ll be able to choose the perfect rice for any dish you want to make.

Why Your Rice Choice Matters for Every Meal

Not all rice is the same. Some varieties are perfect for making fluffy biryanis where every grain stays separate. Others work better for everyday meals with dal and curry. Some are great for making kheer and other desserts because they become creamy when cooked. Understanding these differences helps you cook better food and avoid disappointment when your rice doesn’t turn out the way you expected.

The main thing to remember is that rice varieties differ in how they look, smell, taste, and behave when cooked. Some have a lovely fragrance, others are more neutral. Some grains stay separate after cooking, while others become stickier.

Popular Long Grain Rice Varieties in India

Long-grain rice varieties are slim and elegant. When cooked properly, the grains stay separate and don’t stick together, making them perfect for special dishes where presentation matters.

Basmati Rice (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh) is the undisputed king of Indian rice varieties, renowned worldwide for its distinctive aroma and extra-long grains. When cooked properly, Basmati grains grow 2-3 times their original length and remain separate and fluffy. This makes it perfect for biryani, pulao, and special occasion dishes where presentation matters. Good quality Basmati rice is aged for at least a year, which enhances its cooking quality and intensifies the characteristic nutty fragrance.
Sharbati Rice (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan) is known for its natural fragrance and attractive golden color. While not as aromatic as Basmati, it offers good cooking quality at a more affordable price point. The grains cook into a separate, fluffy texture, making it suitable for both daily meals and special preparations.
Sugandha Rice (Haryana) offers Basmati-type aroma at a more economical price. It’s a good alternative for those who want aromatic rice without the premium pricing of pure Basmati varieties.

Medium Grain Rice – Perfect for Daily Meals

Medium-grain rice is probably what most Indian families use every day. These varieties are not too long, not too short, and they cook into fluffy, separate grains that work well with most Indian dishes.

Sona Masoori (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka) is one of the most popular medium-grain varieties, especially in South India. It’s light, aromatic, and cooks into beautiful white, fluffy rice. It pairs perfectly with dal, sambar, rasam, and everyday curries. The best part about Sona Masoori is that it’s affordable and reliable – it cooks the same way every time.
Ponni rice (Tamil Nadu) is another favorite, particularly in Tamil Nadu. It has good cooking quality and a pleasant taste that doesn’t overpower your side dishes. These medium-grain varieties are perfect when you want good rice without spending too much money.
Jyothi Rice (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) is known for its bright white color and good grain quality. It’s particularly popular in the Deccan region and offers excellent cooking characteristics for daily meals. The variety has good absorption properties and maintains its texture well when cooked.
Swarna Rice (Multi-state) is widely grown across several Indian states and is known for its good cooking quality and moderate price. It’s a versatile variety that works well for both everyday cooking and semi-special occasions.

Short Grain Rice – Perfect for Desserts & Sweet Dishes

Short-grain rice varieties are small, plump, and slightly sticky when cooked, making them perfect for desserts and special dishes that require a creamy texture. These rice types absorb milk and flavors beautifully, giving aromatic and rich results in dishes like kheer, pongal, payasam, and sweet rice preparations.

Kalijeera Rice (Odisha) is a famous aromatic black rice variety from Odisha, with very small grains that pack an incredible fragrance. Despite its small size, it’s known for its rich flavor and is often used for special preparations and traditional dishes in eastern India.
Gobindobhog Rice(West Bengal) is the crown jewel of Bengali rice varieties, known for its small aromatic grains and slightly sticky texture when cooked. This heritage variety has been used for centuries in Bengali cuisine, particularly for making traditional sweets like payesh (kheer) and offerings in temples. The rice has a natural sweetness and distinctive fragrance that makes it perfect for desserts and festival preparations. Gobindobhog is harvested during the Kharif season and is considered one of the finest short-grain varieties in India.
Ambemohar Rice (Maharashtra) is Maharashtra’s signature aromatic short-grain variety, famous for its mango blossom-like fragrance (hence the name ‘Ambemohar’). This traditional variety is particularly popular during the monsoon season and is prized for its unique aroma and cooking quality.
Joha Rice (Assam) represents the indigenous aromatic varieties of Assam, with short to medium grains and distinctive fragrance. This variety is deeply connected to Assamese culture and cuisine, and different sub-varieties of Joha are grown across the state.

Popular Rice Varieties from Different Indian Regions

Every region in India has its own preferred rice varieties, often based on what grows well in the local climate and what tastes best with regional dishes. India’s top rice-producing states, like Punjab, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh, each contribute their famous varieties to our diverse rice landscape.

In North India, apart from Basmati, people love Sharbati rice for its natural fragrance. In West Bengal, Gobindobhog rice is special – it’s used for making offerings in temples and for preparing sweets during festivals. This rice has a unique aroma and becomes slightly sticky when cooked, making it perfect for desserts.

At Amalfarm, we’re proud to offer authentic Gobindobhog rice sourced directly from West Bengal’s traditional farmers. This heritage variety is increasingly rare to find in its pure form, but we ensure you get the real, temple-quality Gobindobhog that has been cherished for generations.

Another treasure from eastern India is Kalanamak rice, also known as Buddha rice or scented pearl rice. This black rice variety from Siddharnagar, Uttar Pradesh, has an incredible natural fragrance and turns purple when cooked. Our Kalanamak rice is authentically sourced and maintains all its traditional qualities.

We also offer Katarni rice, a premium aromatic variety known for its exceptional fragrance and cooking quality. Each grain is carefully selected to ensure you experience the true taste of this classical Indian rice variety.

South India has many regional favorites. In Kerala, people often choose red rice varieties like Rosematta, which is more nutritious and has a slightly nutty flavor. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Jyothi rice is popular for everyday cooking.

Eastern states like Odisha have their own treasures, like Kalijeera rice, which is tiny but incredibly aromatic. Each of these regional varieties has developed over hundreds of years to suit local tastes and cooking methods.

Conclusion

The types of rice in India represent one of the world’s most diverse crop collections, developed over thousands of years of cultivation. From the aromatic Basmati of the North to the nutritious red rice of the South, from the heritage black varieties of the East to the high-yielding commercial varieties grown across the country, Indian rice diversity is unmatched globally.

This incredible variety ensures that there is a perfect rice type for every region, every dish, and every preference. Understanding these different types helps appreciate not just the agricultural richness of India, but also the deep connection between food, culture, and regional identity that rice represents in Indian civilization.

Whether you’re interested in the premium aromatic varieties, the everyday staples, or the heritage varieties with their unique characteristics, India’s rice diversity offers something for everyone. This genetic wealth continues to be the foundation for food security, cultural traditions, and agricultural innovation in the country.

For those looking to explore these diverse rice varieties, quality and authenticity matter significantly. If you want to buy rice online and experience the true taste of India’s heritage rice varieties, Amalfarm offers an authentic collection of premium and traditional rice types. From rare varieties like Kalanamak and Gobindobhog to Katarni Rice, their carefully sourced collection brings the genuine flavors of India’s rich rice heritage directly to your kitchen.