Top 10 Rice Brands: Tested by Homemakers for Homemakers

By Rohit KumarBrands
Top Rice Brands in India

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Seven homemakers reviewed top rice brands for Wordlywiser, focusing on quality, flavor, origin, nutrition, processing, packaging, and certifications. I paired their recommendations with market stats and brand information to help you choose wisely. 

Originating in China about 5000 years ago, rice is a global dietary staple. 

Rice tastes great, pairs well with various dishes, and delivers essential energy to keep you going. 

Rice comes in several varieties to cater to different tastes and needs. Plus, its cultivation across all continents makes it globally accessible.  

As a comforting and nourishing food choice, rice had a global market of USD 287.45 billion in 2021. It is set to increase from USD 292.39 billion in 2022 to USD 334.24 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 2.2% in the forecast period. The rapidly growing food and restaurant sector is pushing growth globally. 

The rice market in India is equally impressive, valued at over US$50 billion in 2021. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) puts rice production in India at 116 million tonnes in 2021 with an average production of 3.3 metric tonnes per acre. 

Top 10 Rice Brands: Tested by Homemakers for Homemakers

Among so many rice brands out there, which ones stand out as the best? Let’s explore the top 10 in a loose descending order, tested by homemakers for homemakers.  

1. Pride of India

We associate Pride of India with grains, herbs, and spices. The brand offers White Basmati, Golden Basmati, and Brown Basmati, cultivated organically in the Himalayan foothills and aged for 2 years. All varieties are GMO-Free, GLUTEN-Free, BPA-Free, and Vegan. The company sources ingredients directly from farms and promotes sustainable farming.

Test Results: Pros 

  • Our homemakers liked its nutty flavor and subtle floral aroma. 
  • Grown in the nutrient-rich soil of the Himalayas and carefully packaged in food-grade plastic jars, the rice preserves its wholesome freshness and taste. The aroma, flavor, and texture are better than any rice brand we tested. 
  • Carefully processed, the rice is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, completely vegan, and free of cholesterol, gluten, GMO, and preservatives. Its low glycemic index makes it a relatively safer choice for individuals with diabetes. 
  • The grains are extra-long, thinner, firmer, and less sticky, thanks to two-year aging.  
  • Taking just 20 minutes to cook, the rice is ideal for pulao, biryani, fried rice, and other delicacies.  

Nutritional Value Per Servings:

Calories: 180 Fat: 0.8 grams Carbs: 38 grams
Sodium: 3.4 mg Protein: 4 grams Fiber: 2 grams

Cons: 

  • Pricey
  • Limited availability 
  • Lacks any Certifications

Sizes: 

Available in 1.2 Pounds (700 grams approx.) & 3.3 Pounds (1.5 kg approx.) 

2. India Gate (KRBL Ltd):

  • Founded: 1889 (134 years ago) 
  • Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Revenue: ₹5,363 Crores (US$670 million) (as of 2023)

Founded as Khushi Ram and Behari Lal Ltd., KRBL is the world’s largest rice miller and exporter with exports to 80 countries. It has a 25% share in the Indian branded basmati exports and a 30% plus share in the domestic market. About 52% of its revenue comes from overseas markets with 36% coming from the Middle East only, as of 2021.

KRBL’s premium offering, India Gate is presently the largest selling rice brand in India. The rice brand acquires the best-quality rice through India’s largest contract farming network with 85,000 farmers spread across 350,000 acres. The cleaning, sorting, and packaging are done in state-of-the-art facilities to uphold the aroma and flavor. 

Test Results: Pros  

India Gate Classic Basmati Rice stood out with its delectable flavor, delicate aroma, and exceptionally fine, lengthy, pearl-white grains. 

Upon cooking, the rice grains elongated up to 2.5 times their size and stayed soft, making them perfect for Hyderabadi Biryani, Awadhi Pulao, Kashmiri Pulao, and Zafrani Pulao. 

Fortified with proteins, dietary fiber, and micronutrients, the rice is relatively healthy.  

Certified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Average Nutritional Value per 100g

Energy: 344kcal Carbs: 77g Protein: 6.7g Fat: 0.5g
Fiber: 1.4g Potassium: 105 mg Magnesium: 65 mg Transfat: 0

Cons: 

  • Pricey 
  • Relatively longer cooking time, about 25 minutes 

Customer Ratings & Reviews: 

Amazon: 4.5/5 Flipkart: 4.3/5

3. Daawat Ultima (LT Foods Ltd.)

  • Founded: 1950 (73 years ago) 
  • Headquarters: Gurgaon, Haryana
  • Revenue: INR 6,979 crore (as of 2023) 

Since 1950, LT Foods has been milling, processing, and marketing basmati rice and rice products. Launched in 1978, Daawat is the company’s signature offering and one of the best rice brands with a 30.2% share in the Indian rice market and a presence in over 60 countries.

LT acquired the Royal brand in 2007, which is now the #1 selling Basmati Rice in America. 

Test Result: Pros

  • Tested for length, consistency, and density, Daawat Ultima has a nutty, creamy flavor, and light and airy texture. 
  • The rice retains its shape, doesn’t stick or get mushy, and cooks evenly, thanks to 2-year aging and careful processing.  
  • Upon soaking in water for 15 minutes, the grain length turned out to be 9mm, one of the highest in the category.  
  • It comes in durable, non-resealable packaging that keeps the rice fresh and mess-free during transportation. 
  • One of the most versatile rice brands, it is perfect for various dishes, from stir-fries to sushi and creamy kheer.  
  • Daawat’s commitment to quality and sustainability, sourcing rice responsibly, reassures you about your choice.

Brand Ambassador: Sanjiv Kapoor, celebrity chef, entrepreneur, and TV personality 

Cons: 

  • Limited options 
  • Lacks Certifications 

Customer Ratings & Reviews

Amazon: 4.7/5 Flipkart: 4.4/5

4. Lal Qilla Whiteline Classic Basmati Rice (ASCW)

  • Founded: 1900 (123 years ago) 
  • Headquarters: Amritsar, Punjab, India 
  • Operating Income: 390 Crores (as of 2022) 

Amar Singh Chawal Wala (ASCW) is an ISO 22000, APEDA, and HACCP-certified rice company with an operating income of INR 390.01 Crore as of 2023.

This premier rice brand boasts 123+ years of expertise, serves 70+ countries with a production capacity of 560+ tons per day, and can process 5,000+ tons of rice. 

The company’s premium offering, Lal Qilla is one of India’s leading basmati rice brands. Cultivated in the foothills of The Himalayas, the rice has a unique aroma, taste, and texture.

Test Result: Pros   

  • Whiteline Classic Basmati stands out for its longest grain, expanding to 10mm when cooked upon soaking for 15 minutes. 
  • The earthly aroma and delectable taste and flavor come from 2-year aging, and hygienic processing and packaging. 
  • The grains are needle-shaped, delicate, and pearl white, and become firm but soft and fluffy upon cooking.  
  • The rice is healthy with the desirable amounts of dietary fiber, protein, and sodium.    
  • It lends itself well to all cuisines, be it Indian, Mughlai, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Mexican, or Continental

FSSAI Certification 

Average Nutritional Value per 100 grams

Energy: 345 kcal  Protein: 8.5 grams  Carbs: 78 grams
Fat: 0.5 grams Fiber: 2.4 grams Sodium: 2 mg

Cons: 

  • Low shelf life (12 months) 

Customer Ratings & Reviews: 

Amazon: 3.9/5 Flipkart: 4.6/5

5. Patanjali 1121 Silver (Patanjali Foods)

  • Founded: 1986 (37 years ago) 
  • Headquarters: Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
  • Revenue: INR 31,821 crore (US$4.0 billion as of 2023)

Formerly Ruchi Soya Industries, Patanjali Foods is among the top consumer packaged food manufacturers with a revenue of USD 4 billion as of 2023. The company acquired and leased several rice mills across the country that help it produce 3.2 lakh tonnes of finished rice per year.  

Our homemakers loved the texture of Patanjali 1121 Silver, one of the top rice brands in India. Grown in snow-fed valleys of Uttarakhand, the rice tastes great, smells fine, and is good for health.  

Test Result: Pros

  • It has the ideal texture for basmati rice – light, fluffy, aromatic, and separate grains with a slightly firm bite. That’s because every grain has been meticulously chosen through a sorting process on Sortex machines.
  • When rinsed, soaked, and cooked properly, the grains double their size, cook uniformly and quickly, and impart a pleasant fragrance to the dish it is used in.   
  • It is easy to digest and healthy with the power of carbs, protein, fiber, and micronutrients. Plus, the low glycemic index makes it safe for diabetics.  

Average Nutritional Value per 100 grams

Energy: 349 kcal Carbs: 77.32g Protein: 9.50g  Fiber: 1.20g
Sodium: 2.8mg Calcium: 7.9mg Magnesium: 17.2 mg Potassium: 34mg
Iron: 0.4 mg Fat: 0.64g Cholesterol: 0 Transfat: 0

Cons: 

  • Aging information isn’t provided
  • Lacks versatility beyond pulao and biryani

Customer Ratings & Reviews: 

Amazon: 4.4/5 Flipkart: 4.3/5

6. Kohinoor Gold (Kohinoor Foods)

  • Founded: 1989 (34 years ago) 
  • Headquarters: Surajkund Delhi-NCR, India 
  • Revenue: About INR 1000 Crore (as of 2014)

Kohinoor Foods is a household name in the food-processing segment with a turnover of close to Rs 1,000 crore way as of 2014. The exports make up about INR 250 crore of the turnover. Adani Wilmar recently acquired it from McCormick Switzerland GMBH for an undisclosed amount. 

As one of the best rice brands in India, the Kohinoor brand portfolio offers “Kohinoor” (premium Basmati); “Charminar” (affordable rice), and “Trophy” (targeted at the hotel, restaurant, and catering segment.)

The rice brand takes quality control seriously with QC centers, micro-biological labs, and manufacturing and processing facilities certified by HACCP, ISO 9001:2000, US-FDA, FSA, and Kosher.

Test Result: Pros    

  • The rice has a fluffy texture and a rich nutty floral aroma. This is a result of careful field selection, grain curation, special 2-year aging in paddy, and hygienic processing and packaging. 
  • It is not sticky or starchy, allowing the natural essence of the rice to shine through.
  • Perfect for biryani, pulao, and steamed jeera rice, it enhances festive dishes with authentic flavor. 
  • Multiple certifications 

Average Nutritional Value per 100 grams

Energy: 345 kcal  Carb: 79g Protein: 6.50g
Fat: 1g Sodium: 3mg

Cons: 

  • Pricey 
  • Grain length is average. 
  • The glycemic index is on the higher side 

Customer Ratings & Reviews: 

Amazon: 4.3/5 Flipkart: 4.5/5

7. Fortune Everyday Basmati Rice (Adani Wilmar Ltd)

  • Founded: 1989 (34 years ago) 
  • Headquarters: Nasik, Maharashtra, India 

Fortune Foods is one of the top rice brands owned by Adani Wilmar, an FMCG giant experiencing 7% year-on-year growth in revenue to touch INR 58,185 crore as of 2023. 

Fortune Basmati enjoyed a market share of 7.5% in India as of 2022, up from 6.5% in 2021. Together with Kohinoor, it has a market share of 8.4% in the Basmati segment as of 2022. 

Test result: Pros

  • Meticulously seasoned and packaged, it is an economical and tasty option with a decent aroma and long shelf life. 
  • The grains are delicate and needle-shaped, just the way Basmati should be.
  • When cooked, the grain remains distinct and does not clump together
  • It goes well with all everyday and special dishes 

Brand Ambassador: Akshay Kumar 

Average Nutritional Value per 100 grams

Energy: 345.5 kcal  Carb: 78g Protein: 6.8g
Fat: 0.5g Sugar: Below 1% Fiber: 0.0g

Cons: 

  • Grain size is average 
  • Lacks dietary fiber and micronutrients 
  • Longer cooking time, about 25 minutes 

Customer Ratings & Reviews

Amazon: 4.3/5 Flipkart: 4.3/5

8. 24 Mantra Organic Basmati Brown Rice (Sresta Ltd.)

  • Founded: 2004 (19 years ago) 
  • Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana, India 

Sreshta Natural Products Ltd. is credited with introducing the organic foods category in India. 24 Mantra is Sreshta’s flagship brand for cooking essentials, packaged foods, and beverages.

The rice brand offers Basmati Brown Rice, Broken Rice, Idly Rice, and more, each grown organically without pesticides and harmful chemicals.

The products are certified by Control Union, Onecert, IMO, Indocert, APEDA, USDA NOP, and EC 834/2007. 

Test Result: Pros

  • Unpolished, the rice retains bran and germ layers, making it high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
  • Its low glycemic index and fat content make it ideal for weight and sugar-conscious individuals.
  • Thanks to a chemical compound, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, the rice has a refreshing and strong nutty aroma among all varieties we tested.
  • The decent grain length, slim shape, slightly sweet and nutty taste, and light and fluffy texture also make it stand out. 
  • It is cultivated through organic means, hence safe for people and the planet. 

Average Nutritional Value per 100 grams

Energy: 353 kcal  Carb: 80g Protein: 7g
Fat: 0.65g Sodium: 5mg Fiber: 

Cons:

  • The grains break 
  • Lacks versatility 

Customer Ratings & Reviews

Amazon: 4.2 Flipkart: 3/5

9. Aeroplane La Taste (Amir Chand Jagdish Kumar Exports Ltd.)

  • Founded: 1969 (54 years ago) 
  • Headquarters: Delhi, India 
  • Operating income: INR 1221.66 Crores

Amir Chand Jagdish Kumar (Exports) Ltd. is an established food grain producer with an operating income of INR 1221.66 Crores (in 2023), 78.66% of which comes from exports to 75 countries.

The company has three modern processing plants certified by ISO 22000:2018 and HACCP for Food Safety Management Standard. It serves bulk orders to various governmental organizations across the globe, including the Middle East, the Far East, and other major rice-importing countries.

The company markets rice under the Aeroplane trademark, which is one of the best rice brands. 

Test Results: Pros

  • The long-grain structure, aromatic fragrance, and the ability to absorb flavors without getting overly sticky make it ideal for biryani.
  • It stayed separate and fluffy after cooking, making it highly presentable.
  • The 8.30 mm long and 1.70 mm wide precooked grain swelled to 24.90 mm and 5.10 mm respectively upon cooking.
  • High Nutritional Value, good taste, and 2 Years Shelf Life make it worth trying.

Average Nutritional Value per 100 grams

Calories: 375 Proteins: 8g Carbs: 79g
Fat: 0.2g Iron: 6% Dietary Fiber: 0 

Cons:

  • High Cooking Time
  • Lacks an Intense Flavor
  • Dietary Fiber is missing

Customer Ratings & Reviews

Amazon: 4.2/5  Flipkart: 4/5 

10. Aashirvaad Sona Masoori Rice (ITC): Top Sona Masoori Rice Brands

ITC is one of the world’s leading tobacco brands that owns some of the top disposable vape brands, best-selling menthol cigarette brands, and best cigarette brands in India.

Rather, its flagship brand, Gold Flake is one of the world’s leading cigarette brands with a brand value of $3 billion as of 2023. Classmate, ITC’s other subsidiary, is India’s top stationery company.

ITC has been selling staple food and kitchen ingredients under the Aashirvaad brand since 2002. The brand includes atta flour, salt, spices, instant food mixes, dairy products, and superfoods.

Test Results: Pros

  • Our homemakers tested Aashirvaad Sona Masoori rice and found it ideal for South Indian cuisines.
  • The rice is a result of the Aashirvaad 5-star process, which involves careful cultivation, timely harvestation, appropriate aging, and minimal processing.
  • It is a lightweight and aromatic medium-grain rice sourced from South Indian states.
  • It offers a vibrant, rich, and starchy flavor and a softer texture than other white rice.
  • High in dietary fiber and low in sodium, it is a healthy option.

Average Nutritional Value per 100 grams

Calories: 345 Proteins: 7g Carbs: 77g
Fat: 1g Sodium: 0g Dietary Fiber: 

Cons:

  • Contains saturated fats
  • Isn’t as versatile and aromatic
  • Availability can be an issue in some regions

Customer Ratings & Reviews

Amazon: N/A  Flipkart: N/A 

Conclusion:

Indian cuisines are incomplete without rice. Be it traditional delights or fusion dishes, Indians find a way to include rice in everything they cook and serve. When so much depends on rice, you cannot afford to go wrong with your choice of rice brands. At Worldlywiser, seven homemakers teamed up to review and present the best options out there. Our recommendations are authentic and evidence-based to help you choose wisely.

For more such reviews, stay tuned and keep us updated with your comments. Until next time, happy cooking!

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