Known as the 'Prince of Rice', Basmati can only be grown in one place on earth - at the foothills of the Himalayas. It is here where the combination of unique climate and soil conditions allow Basmati to truly flourish. We select the highest quality Pure Basmati from over 10,000 independent farmers, all of whom we know by name.

Tilda brought Basmati to the Western World over 30 years ago. Tended and harvested by hand in the Northern plains of India and irrigated by water from the melting mountain snow, we combine the ancient traditions of growing Basmati with modern technology, using satellites to track which areas of the Punjab and Haryana are growing the best Basmati. To complement our Basmati expertise we DNA fingerprint test for purity every batch of Basmati we buy. Our selection is so rigorous that we test every single bag, because we believe only Pure Basmati has the unique Basmati characteristics.

If you think rice is just rice, here are just a few of the reasons why Basmati is best and why to choose Basmati over ordinary rice.

- Basmati is a healthy 'supergrain' -

Basmati is gluten-free and low in fat. It contains all eight essential amino acids, folic acid, and is very low in sodium and has no cholesterol.

Basmati has a low to medium glycaemic index, meaning that energy is released at a slower, steadier rate leading to a more balanced level of energy.

- Basmati is a taste sensation -

Tilda Basmati tastes like no other rice on earth. Unlike ordinary long grain rice the light, fluffy texture of Basmati's long, slender grains offers the palate a totally different experience in terms of mouth-feel and taste - distinctive, unique and slightly 'nutty'.

- Basmati has a wonderful aroma -

Literally translated as 'the fragrant one', Basmati has been described as having the aroma of sun-baked wood and flowers. If you want to sell your house, just cook Tilda Basmati instead of baking bread!

- Tilda Basmati is the champagne of rice -

Likened to champagne, Tilda Pure Basmati is steeped in centuries of legendary tradition and heritage. Like a fine wine, Basmati improves with age, and relies entirely on nature for its very special characteristics. We store our Basmati for months in order for it to mature, before carefully milling, resulting in a deeper and richer flavour.

- Basmati requires constant love and affection -

There is only one Basmati harvest a year and the plant requires specific weather conditions to mature and flourish. It is much taller than other rices, and so is prone to wind damage. Its delicate make-up explains the constant need for vigilance and care by the farmer, yet allows the plant to develop its complex and unique flavour and characteristics. This constant love and affection is reflected in its premium price compared to ordinary long grain rice.

- Tilda Basmati is a dream to cook -

Cooking with Tilda Basmati means light, delicate and separate grains.

That's because we carefully mill our grains, rejecting broken grains that would otherwise release starch and cause the rice to become sticky. Uniquely, the Basmati grain expands more than twice its dry length during cooking. Unlike other types of rice the grains only expand lengthways resulting in the grains retaining their long slender characteristic when cooked.

- Tilda Basmati is extremely versatile -

The open texture of Tilda Basmati allows the grain to absorb other flavours, making it a sociable partner to a whole host of recipes.

- Tilda is accountable -

We consider ourselves 'Guardians' of Basmati and from the very beginning have worked tirelessly to ensure that the legend of Pure Basmati continues to flourish. We adopt a 'fair play' policy, working with the farming communities of the Basmati growing region. It is a unique relationship. We support traditional farming with free growing advice via FACE our Farmers Advisory Cell and we provide Basmati seed to farmers at no profit.

- Basmati - the legend lives on -

For over 30 years, we have been committed to preserving this legendary rice. Today the farmers still grow Basmati using the methods of nurturing this precious grain that have been passed down from generation to generation. Our experienced buyers have only one brief - to buy the best Basmati, regardless of price. It's as valuable to those who grow it, as it is for those who cook with it.

- We love Tilda Basmati -

Basmati is now the most popular type of dry rice with UK consumers. Sales of Basmati rice have grown every year for the past 20 years and now account for 46% of the rice sold in the UK. Annual Basmati sales of rice are £72million at retail selling prices.