DAAWATTraditional Basmati Rice, 10 Pound Packaging may vary

We like basmati in my house and I'm always trying different brands to find the best one. I've noticed that strong basmati aroma is absent from most I've tried. They smell good but none have had that strong, house filling aroma that first made me fall in love with Basmati. I saw this "traditional" variety and figured I'd give it a shot. I am very glad I did. This is the stuff I've been looking for. The rice smells and tastes amazing.Please don't skip the rinsing step before you cook it. It takes a little more rinsing than suggested on the bag (I rinse 4 times vs the suggested 2). Plus the rinsing helps you remove the little slips of fuchsia colored paper that are in with the rice. They are tiny and you may find one or two per 4 cups of rice.The paper floats and is easy to pick out. I'd be concerned about it, but I have found colored rice kernels in other bags so I assume these colored bits are used as some sort of marker during the grading/packaging.The only thing I would change would be the bag. It is very eye catching but is useless once it is opened. There is no closure and the material is very stiff and hard to fold to reseal. Be prepared to put the rice into a container once you open it.

We east a lot of rice in South Louisiana and while I try other brands from time to time, I keep coming back to this one. A 10-lb bag lasts my husband and I about a year - we try not to go overboard with carbs - and it's great with all the kinds of cooking I enjoy. Cajun/Creole of course, but Asian and Latin dishes, too. The extra long grains and the popcorn aroma are excellent. I do find that I need to add a few extra tablespoons of water to the cooking as a 1-2 ratio of rice to water leaves the rice a bit dry.

Light and subtle if prepared correctly. I judge it probably the best Basmati rice available on the American market. I did not give it 5 star because I prefer the earthier and rougher taste of Royal Basmati (and other cheaper brands). I grew up with a Pakistani cook whose curry was so hot and spice rough that it took a earthy rice to be barely noticed. I now keep several Basmati brands in my kitchen and if I am doing American-French (light spice food) I Go for the Daawat! Pakistani or Tex-Mex and its Royal or Elephant etc.Why kill a great delicate rice with heavy spices or deprive a mean spiced dish of the earthier village tasting rices? Keep a bag of each but if you have to go with one bag, go with the Daawat! (Note I do not have a rice cooker, do my rice in a pot, so have no idea what any taste like if you are using a rice cooker!)

Package came in perfect condition. Rice expiration date was good and the bag had nothing but good, full, long grains of Basmati. The Aroma out of the bag was not as strong as others like Tilda, but the rice was cleaner and required less washing. I use a rice cooker and add water to just below the line, as well as salt and a dash of cooking oil. I have found that Basmati tends to over cook and dry out in the rice cooker, so I switch the cooker to warm once I can really smell the rice strongly, and then shut it off completely after 10 minutes. This rice turned out good that way. It is definitely a totally good Basmati, and one you may prefer if you like a milder rice flavor than others that are far more nutty. But, it does lack some of the fragrance and aromas of other brands.

Ame este arroz desde el día uno que lo probé, es súper suelto y delicioso. Lo recomiendo una y mil veces.

I can't imagine why some other reviewers were disappointed with this rice. My husband and I are Indian food aficionados and have eaten at the finest Indian restaurants in Manhattan. This rice rivals anything we have been served at those establishments. On top of that, it cooks up absolutely consistently every time. I wouldn't think of purchasing a different brand after having tried Daawat.

What a disappointment.I researched the best basmati rice, looking at different sites and comments and this came highly recommended but, I'd put it at the bottom of the list for smell and taste. It tastes like regular rice and has very little, if any, of the flowery bouquet I expect from basmati.The grains themselves cook up beautifully and perhaps that is why it is expensive. They are long and separate but still taste like any long grain rice which I could buy for a lot less.This was one of the more expensive basmatis on Amazon and you only get 1#.Ugh! Next time I'll go with a less 'premium' brand and get more flavor for less money

A good meal must have good ingredients. Simple fare such as beans over rice will always taste better and be healthier if authentic ingredients are used. Beans from Rancho Gordo and Basmati rice from Daawat in India, cooked and prepared by the purchaser is wholesome and delicious. The thought of buying some frozen concoction or, even worse, a processed pre-packaged box of American salt, sugar, and extra flavor packets mixed with sub standard beans and rice that should be used as chicken feed.