India, recognized as the largest cultivator and exporter of basmati rice worldwide, predominantly cultivates this prized variety through paddy field farming in the fertile regions of Punjab, Haryana, and other states in North India. In our blog, we will be discussing how basmati rice is produced.
There are two types of basmati rice: white basmati and brown rice, each with distinct nutritional profiles. In India, suppliers offer a range of rice categories, each with its own unique value. These suppliers employ a combination of traditional and modern methods in the manufacturing process to ensure the rice obtained is pure and devoid of any impurities.
Steps to Produce Basmati Rice.
The process implemented by basmati rice exporters in India provides valuable insights into the manufacturing of rice. Here’s how it’s done:
1. Rice Harvesting:
During the initial stage, the harvesting of basmati rice is carried out using either manual labor or machinery, depending on the scale of the operation and level of mechanization. However, traditional practices like field drying and stacking are discouraged, as they can negatively impact rice quality and lead to harvest losses. The harvesting process involves a series of essential steps, which can be performed individually or in combination using a combined harvester-
- Reaping
- Threshing
- Cleaning
- Hauling
- Field Drying
- Stacking
- Bagging
2. Drying:
After harvesting, the rice undergoes a crucial drying phase to achieve a moisture content within the optimal range of 18–22%. Various methods can be employed for this purpose, including natural sun drying or artificial heating. The drying process includes:
- Moisture removal
- Monitor drying periods such as pre-heating, constant rate, and falling rate.
- Increasing the drying rate to 18% MC.
- Uniform drying
- Tempering
3. Hulling:
Subsequently, the rice undergoes the hulling process, which involves the removal of the outer hull. The method employed for hulling depends on the specific region of rice production. It can be accomplished using an automated machine that grinds the rice or through manual labor. In the case of manual hulling, the rice is ground between two stones to separate the hull. The rice is officially referred to as brown rice once the hull is removed.
4. Milling:
To obtain white rice, an additional step is necessary. The rice undergoes further milling, where the outer bran layers are delicately removed, unveiling the inner white grain.
According to Basmati rice suppliers in India, rice milling systems can vary from a simple one or two-step process to a more complex multi-stage process.
- One-step milling: In this step, husk and bran removal are done in one pass.
- Two-step process: In this step, removing the husk and bran is done separately.
- Multistage milling: Rice undergoes several different processing steps, such as:
- Pre-cleaning
- Dehusking or dehulling
- Paddy separation
- Whitening or polishing
- Grading and separation of white rice
- Mixing
- Mist polishing
- Weighing of rice
- Enriching
During the milling process, the production of white rice results in the removal of a significant portion of vitamins and minerals predominantly present in the outer bran layers. To enhance its nutritional value for consumption, Basmati rice exporters in India, like Barkat, replenish the rice with essential nutrients and vitamins.
Conclusion
Rice cultivation demands meticulous care and attention. To achieve the highest quality milled rice, following a specific sequence is crucial, assuming the paddy received at the rice mill is of excellent quality. For those seeking superior rice, Barkat Rice stands as the optimal choice, with 25 years of experience in the industry. They offer a selection of top-notch rice varieties processed under the close supervision of rice export professionals.