10 Best Jasmine Rice Brands According to Online Reviews
Jasmine rice is one of the long-grain fragrant rice varieties. Due to the plant’s production of natural aromatic compounds, fresh jasmine rice has a fragrance that resembles the jasmine flower, and popcorn. However, the aromatic intensity disappears over a short time, so the “new crops” of jasmine rice are becoming popular.
Grown in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and South Vietnam, jasmine rice has a soft texture and a sweet flavor. It is a type of sticky rice, though it is less so than glutinous rice.
Jasmine Rice Varieties
Jasmine rice can be found in various forms, depending on the processing method. The least processed types are red, purple, and blue Jasmine rice, which are left in hulled form. When the grain is de-hulled, it becomes brown jasmine rice, and when it is milled to remove the germ and the bran, it becomes white jasmine rice.
The least processed rice types take a long time to cook and have a different texture, but they retain more of the nutritious value of the plant. White jasmine rice is the most popular variety; there are many brands available but it has little nutritional value.
Health Benefits of Jasmine Rice
The colorful varieties of jasmine rice can help improve the immune system, as they are packed with phytonutrients (substances that help protect cells). Also, the folic acid in jasmine rice can help support healthy pregnancies. Brown jasmine rice also has a higher dietary fiber content, which helps digestion.
However, there are certain health risks with jasmine rice, as there are in any type of rice. It is high on the glycemic index, which means it can cause blood sugar levels to spike if eaten very frequently. Also, arsenic levels can pose a health threat, although this can be avoided by thoroughly washing the rice before cooking.
How to Cook Jasmine Rice
Most recipes using jasmine rice will ask for white rice, as it has the most distinctive flavor and for the sticky quality and softness that characterize it best. To cook it, Chef Nagi Maehashi recommends using less water than regular white rice as jasmine rice is softer than other varieties, meaning it needs less water to become soft and fluffy and to stop it from becoming gummy.
Check out our stories on the best white rice, brown rice and basmati rice brands.
The chef’s recommended ratio is 1 cup jasmine rice to 1¼ cups water (rather than 1½ cups water for regular white rice). However, if the rice is rinsed, Chef Nagi recommends reducing the amount of water by 2 tablespoons. To cook the rice, start with a rapid simmer, then cover, turn down the heat, and cook for 12 minutes. Once cooked, let the rice stand for 10 minutes and then fluff it up using a rubber spatula or rice paddle.
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Best Jasmine Rice Brands
1. Three Ladies Rice
Three Ladies Jasmine Rice is the most fragrant and versatile jasmine rice brand on the market, according to several Reddit users.
It has a wonderful smell and flavor even in dry form, and it becomes a meal simply by adding salt, pepper, and butter. This new crop rice comes in a very large bag. As the rice comes from a fresh crop, the grains are slippery and cook very fast, maintaining the flavor during the process.
Most reviewers write about the very fresh fragrance and the soft texture of the rice, which is better than any other jasmine rice brand. Three Ladies Jasmine rice is a traditional Thai Hom Mali fragrant rice, making it the perfect addition to any kind of Thai recipe.
2. Dragonfly Thai Jasmine Rice
A Thai brand of jasmine rice recommended on Reddit is Dragonfly Jasmine Rice, which comes in a 10-pound bag. With a very strong smell and flavor, it is less starchy than other jasmine rice brands but has a slightly chewy texture, which makes it a great side dish.
The rice is minimally processed and has a very low carbon footprint. Ideal in Thai and Vietnamese cooking, Dragonfly Jasmine Rice can be used both for curries or as a side to any meat, vegetable, or fish dish.
3. 817 Elephant Jasmine Rice White Thai Hom Mali
Another product of Thailand, 817 Jasmine Rice, comes with a strong recommendation on Reddit. The rice is easy to cook, only taking 15 minutes.
The rice grains are grown, harvested, and cared for by local Thai farmers. With a Hom Mali Rice mark of certification awarded by the Department of Foreign Trade, this jasmine rice is a guaranteed excellent product that follows all health norms and rice quality criteria.
It is an aromatic long-grain rice with a delicate texture and an irresistible, sweet-smelling jasmine flavor.
4. Dynasty Jasmine Rice
Dynasty Jasmine Rice is highly rated by over 1,000 Amazon reviewers. This is another Thai product that comes in a large bag, is all-natural and organic, and can be used for various Asian dishes and meals.
The bag contains about 40-50 cups, so it can last a long time. The rice is certified organic, cooks extremely fast, and, as it is from a fresh crop and quite tender, it can be used for milling rice flour.
It also fluffs very well, cooks evenly, and is very aromatic. This jasmine rice is also very good for fried rice, when the cooked rice is left in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
5. Lundberg California White Jasmine Rice
With its buttery flavor and floral jasmine scent, this jasmine rice is a great addition to any kitchen. According to the producer, it works best in Thai curries, pilafs, and more, as the long grains cling together when cooked but don’t turn sticky.
It works for any recipe that calls for distinct kernels with a fluffy texture, whether it’s a tofu dish or a poke bowl. The rice is non-GMO tested, gluten-free, vegan, and Kosher. It is organically grown, cultivated by a producer with more than 80 years of experience and which strives to maximize the flavor of each grain.
According to reviewers, it can be either boiled or microwaved, depending on what the recipe calls for.
6. Pride of India: Thai White Jasmine Rice
With 16 servings per jar, Pride of India Jasmine Rice offers natural Thai Hom Mali jasmine rice with a sweet flavor and fragrant aroma.
The rice is GMO-free, gluten-free, vegan, and BPA-free. The grain is shorter and thicker than other white rice varieties, but it is also softer and more aromatic. The rice can be used for Thai dishes and other types of food, as it contains lots of beneficial plant compounds.
The rice is sourced directly from farms, so its quality is completely preserved. The producer recommends using this jasmine rice in shrimp fried curry and combining it with spring onion, minced garlic, green chilies, carrots, green peas, prawns, and seasoning.
7. Lotus Foods Organic White Jasmine Rice
From a company that has specialized in importing rice for 25 years, Lotus Foods, this jasmine rice comes with a special fragrance, buttery taste, floral aroma, and a soft and almost sticky texture. The producers only use rice grown on Thai or Cambodian farms that conserve water, reduce methane emissions, and improve farmers’ incomes.
The rice can be cooked on the stovetop or in a rice cooker, and it takes 20-25 minutes. As the rice is from new crops, the jasmine fragrance is fresh and strong, and the texture is extra-soft.
Also, as the grains are not broken and they fluff when cooked. The flavor is both sweet and nutty, with a very distinctive personality compared to regular white rice.
8. Ben’s Original Ready Rice Pouch Jasmine
Ben’s Original Rice Pouch contains 100% Thai rice with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The rice can be microwaved in the pouch in just 90 seconds, eliminating all the prep and cleaning up.
The pouch also preserves the fresh taste and the typical flavor of jasmine rice, unlike many other instant rice varieties that lose the taste and the soft texture. It is a very good addition to stir-fries, chicken, steak, and turkey, or as a snack on its own.
Most reviewers write of the good quality rice used for the product, the long, unbroken grains, and the convenience of the packaging.
9. Seeds of Change Organic Jasmine Rice
Made with certified organic ingredients and free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, Seeds of Change Organic Jasmine Rice is grown by a group of trusted farmers using only sustainable practices. Sold in microwavable pouches, the rice is ready in just 90 seconds, leaving you no dishes to clean up.
The rice can be added to chicken, simple curry sauce, steamed vegetables, tuna, pine nuts, and Parmesan, or diced cabbage. Reviews mention the wonderful strong flavor of the jasmine rice. They also point out that the pouch needs to be pressed before microwaving, so that the rice doesn’t come out in lumps.
10. Organic Thai Jasmine Rice Gift Set
Produced by Blue Orchid Organic, the Organic Thai Jasmine Rice gift set contains 4 varieties of jasmine rice: brown, red, rice berry, and mixed. All four varieties are very fragrant and contain high fiber, iron, minerals, antioxidants, and other micronutrients.
There are no dyes or added artificial colors, and the rice retains its form after cooking but takes on a soft, fluffy texture. As the rice is whole grain, it contains all the nutrients in the rice bran. Blue Orchid rice is certified by USDA, Canada Organic, EU Organic, Thailand FD, and IFOAM Organic Agriculture Thailand. Customers appreciate the good quality of the rice, the flavor, but also the eco-friendly package.
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Jasmine Rice Recipes
Pineapple Fried Rice
To enjoy the delicate fragrance of jasmine rice, chef Nagi recommends a Thai recipe, pineapple fried rice, a side dish for serving with other Thai or Asian foods.
To make the fried rice, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or a large non-stick skillet over a high heat. Add 2 finely minced garlic cloves and ½ a finely chopped onion. Cook for 1 minute, then add ¾ diced red capsicum or bell pepper and let it cook for another minute. Add ½ cup frozen peas and stir for 30 seconds. Then, add 3 cups day-old boiled jasmine rice and the sauce ingredients. You can either use a base sauce made with 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1½ tablespoon fish sauce, and ½ teaspoon sugar, or a sauce made with 1 tablespoon oyster sauce and 1½ tablespoons light or all-purpose soy sauce. Cook for 2 minutes, constantly stirring, then add 1½ cups pineapple pieces and heat through. Before serving, add ½ cup green onions.
Jasmine Rice
Another jasmine rice recipe comes from Chef Jean-Pierre from chefjeanpierre.com. It is a simple recipe that combines the delicate flavor of jasmine rice with the taste of coconut and butter. To make this rice, Chef Jean-Pierre uses ½ cup carrots, diced as small as possible, which he combines with 1 cup rinsed jasmine rice, ½ cup coconut milk, 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes, 1 cup water, and 1 tablespoon water. After combining the ingredients in a saucepan, bring them to boil, add 1 tablespoon chopped chives, reduce the heat, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes. Then, take the saucepan off the heat and let it stand for 10 minutes. Finally, use a fork to fluff it up.
