Basmati is a variety of long grain aromatic rice grown in north central India and Pakistan. India’s total basmati production for the year 2010 was 6.5 million tons. Basmati rice is used for cooking biriyani, pulao and kheer.

In Pakistan, 95% of the basmati rice cultivation takes place in the province of Punjab, where total production was 2.47 million tons in 2010. In India, Haryana is the major basmati rice cultivating state, producing more than 60% of the total basmati rice produced in India. Karnal belt basmati is famous world wide for its quality and aroma.

List of approved varieties includes Super basmati, Kasturi (Baran, Rajasthan), Basmati 198, basmati 217, basmati 370, basmati 385, basmati 386, Kasturi, Mahi Suganda, Pusa and Ranbir. Some non-traditional aromatic crosses with basmati characteristics are marketed under a Sugandh designation.

List of approved Pakistani varieties includes Basmati 370, Kernel (Basmati Pakistani), Super Basmati, Basmati 385 and Basmati 168.

The significant price difference between basmati and other varieties of rice, has led fraudulent traders to adulterate basmati rice with crossbred basmati varieties and long-grain non-basmati varieties.

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, basmati rice has a medium glycemic index between 56 and 69, and is more suitable for diabetics as compared to certain other grains and products made from white flour.