Buyer education only. Examples and ranges are illustrative. Confirm specifications, evidence and destination requirements for each order.
1. Common basmati varieties buyers may encounter
Basmati is a commercial category with multiple named varieties. The examples below are for comparison only; availability, identity and commercial description must be confirmed for each lot.
| Variety | Average grain length | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Basmati 1121 | 8.2 – 8.4 mm | A widely traded export line with high elongation on cooking |
| Basmati 1509 | 8.2 – 8.4 mm | Similar grain length, shorter crop cycle, often more competitively priced |
| Pusa Basmati 1 | 7.4 – 7.5 mm | Slightly shorter grain, widely traded, good volume line |
Raw, steamed and sella are the common forms, and availability differs by variety, so confirm the form you need. Sella is a separately processed commercial form. Price, cooking characteristics and suitability should be compared against the buyer’s intended market and specification rather than assumed from the processing method.
Ask for lot identification and supporting variety information when comparing quotations; price alone does not establish variety or quality.
2. The eight parameters that decide quality
A basmati order should be quoted against a written specification covering at least these:
- Average grain length in millimetres, measured on the milled grain
- Moisture content, with the buyer-specified maximum written into the specification
- Broken grains, with the agreed tolerance stated for the grade and order
- Foreign matter, with the applicable product/contract limit stated in the specification
- Varietal purity, with the agreed minimum stated for the selected grade
- Discoloured and paddy grains, with the agreed tolerance stated in the specification
- Processing method — raw, steamed or sella
- Packing format — standard 25 / 50 kg PP or jute bag, confirmed per order
Confirm order requirements
Rules and documents vary by product, origin, destination and shipment. Confirm the applicable requirements for the exact order before production or dispatch.
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