Basmati rice is made from the puffed rice grains of the basmati variety of brown rice. The puffed grains have been treated to make them fluffy and aromatic. To get that same aromatic effect in old crop, you need to soak old crop for several days. But then, no one wants to wait take out time for old crop basmati every time, right? So new crop basmati is introduced as an alternative. New crop basmati has all the advantages of old crop with many more added benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the key differences between new crop and old crop basmati:
What is new crop basmati?
When you harvest basmati rice, you get two harvests – one in early summer and the other in late summer. But there is a third harvest that happens between the two harvests. This harvest is known as the new crop and is just as puffy and aromatic as the old crop rice. The new crop rice is harvested in the same way as the old crop rice, but it is harvested after the old crop rice has been harvested. The new crop rice is harvested between the second and third harvest dates of the old crop rice. Thus, the new crop rice is really a continuation of the puffy rice that is found in the old crop rice. This is why new crop basmati is often referred to as ‘old crop basmati’. It is the same rice, just harvested and stored a little later.
New crop basmati vs old crop basmati – Which is better?
One major advantage of new crop basmati is that it is produced from the same rice cultivar as the old crop basmati. That is, the cultivar is the same, but the year is different. That is why new crop basmati is often referred to as ‘old crop basmati’. But there are also a few clear advantages of new crop basmati. Let’s take a look at these advantages and decide which is better – old crop basmati or new crop basmati. – Higher Protein Content: New crop basmati has higher protein content than old crop basmati, which is a good thing for those who are trying to increase their protein intake. The protein content in new crop basmati is 11%, while it is 10% in old crop basmati. And for those who are concerned about the protein intake, this is a good reason to choose new crop basmati over old crop basmati. – Higher Iron Content: Iron deficiency is a common dietary disorder across the world. People with higher iron intake tend to have an increased resistance to common diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular problems. The iron content in old crop rice is only 1% while it is 3% in new crop basmati, which means that new crop basmati has double the iron content of old crop basmati. – More Vitamin C: Like iron, vitamin C is also a very important nutrient. It helps boost immunity, prevents and treats common diseases such as cold and cough, and keeps your skin healthy. Vitamin C in old crop basmati is 3% while it is 5% in new crop basmati. So, if you are consuming vegetables and fruits that have high vitamin C content, then you can opt for new crop basmati. – Lower Glycemic Index: Glycemic index is a number that measures the blood sugar level in your body after eating a particular food. Foods with high glycemic index tend to increase blood sugar, which is not good for your health. Now, glycemic index of old crop basmati is 74, while it is 66 for new crop basmati. That is why new crop basmati is often recommended for diabetes patients who are looking for low glycemic index food options. – Higher Fibre Content: Fibre is something that you cannot digest, but helps you stay healthy by keeping your digestion system working properly. Higher fibre content in new crop basmati means that you will feel fuller for longer after eating it, which is a great thing for weight control
Basmati Rice and Its Health Benefits
Iron – Iron is very important for your health. It helps keep your immune system strong, your muscles and heart strong, and your blood flowing to all these places. But iron content in old crop basmati is only 1%, while it is 3% in new crop basmati, which means that new crop basmati contains double the iron content of old crop basmati. – Vitamin C – Like iron, vitamin C is also a very important nutrient. It helps boost immunity, prevents and treats common diseases such as cold and cough, and keeps your skin healthy. Vitamin C in old crop basmati is 3%, while it is 5% in new crop basmati. So, if you are consuming vegetables and fruits that have high vitamin C content, then you can opt for new crop basmati. – Fibre – Fibre is something that you cannot digest, but helps you stay healthy by keeping your digestion system working properly. Higher fibre content in new crop basmati means that you will feel fuller for longer after eating it, which is a great thing for weight control. – Glycemic Index – Higher glycemic index is a sign of high sugar content in the food. So, if you are suffering from diabetes or trying to lose weight, then new crop basmati is not the best choice for you. – Lower Cholesterol Content – Cholesterol is something that is found in all foods, animal and vegetable. But the good thing about new crop basmati is that it has a lower cholesterol content than old crop basmati. – Lower Sodium Content – Sodium is a common mineral found in salt. But it is not that good for your health, so it is best to keep it low. Now, new crop basmati has a lower sodium content than old crop basmati, which means you can consume more without worrying about the health impact.
New Crop Basmati and Old Crop Basmati: Compared Side by Side
Old crop basmati is puffed rice that has been basmati-ripened for 3-4 months. – New crop basmati is puffed rice that has been ripened for 1-2 days. – Old crop basmati has been processed during 3-4 months of ripening while new crop basmati is processed during 1-2 days. – Old crop basmati has been ripened for 3-4 months while new crop basmati is ripened for 1-2 days. – Old crop is available for purchase for 6-7 months, while new crop is available for purchase for 3 months. – New crop basmati is available for purchase for 3 months while old crop basmati is available for purchase for 6-7 months