Basmati rice or sella rice: Which one suits your dish?
White basmati is ideal for delicate, aromatic rice side dishes and pulao. Sella basmati keeps a firmer structure when cooked and is better suited for biryani and layered dishes, as the grains remain firm and hold their shape when layered and kept warm.
Do you want to prepare biryani, pulao or a light, fluffy rice side dish and are wondering whether to use white basmati or sella basmati? Both varieties from Sultana’s Premium come from the 1121 rice variety from Pakistan. The key difference lies in the processing – and in how the grains behave when cooked.
What does “sella” mean?
White 1121 basmati rice is processed without this parboiling step. It is particularly suitable if you want to enjoy the typical basmati aroma and a delicate, fluffy rice side dish.
White basmati and sella compared
| White 1121 Basmati | 1121 Sella Basmati | |
|---|---|---|
| Uncooked grain | White | Slightly golden |
| Texture after cooking | Tender and fluffy | Firmer and grainy |
| Cooking time after soaking | About 8–10 minutes | About 12–15 minutes |
| Particularly suited for | Rice side dishes, pulao and aromatic rice dishes | Biryani, layered dishes and larger portions |
Our recommendation:
- Choose white basmati for a fragrant, delicate side dish. Opt for sella if you want the grains to hold their shape well when layering, mixing or keeping warm. Both varieties can be used for biryani – it also comes down to which texture you prefer.
Cooking white 1121 basmati rice
For the absorption method, you need 1 cup of rice and about 1½ cups of water.
- Wash the rice two to three times in cold water to remove loose starch dust.
- If desired, soak it in cold water for 20–30 minutes. Then drain the soaking water.
- Put the rice into a pot with fresh water and a little salt.
- Bring it to the boil once. Then reduce the heat and let it simmer, covered, for about 8–10 minutes on a very low heat.
- Leave the pot covered for a further 5 minutes. Then gently fluff up the rice with a fork.
To try it out: Sultana’s Premium 1121 Basmati Rice 5 kg.
Cooking 1121 sella basmati rice
For the absorption method, you need 1 cup of rice and about 2 cups of water.
- Rinse the rice once or twice with cold water.
- Soak it for 15–20 minutes and drain the water.
- Put it on to cook with fresh water and a little salt.
- Bring it to the boil once, then let it simmer, covered, over low heat for about 12–15 minutes.
- Let it rest, covered, for a further 5 minutes and then fluff up the grains.
For biryani, the rice is often only partially pre-cooked and then finished cooking together with the remaining ingredients in a covered pot. Use the water amount and cooking time specified in your recipe for this.
To try it out: Sultana’s Premium 1121 Sella Basmati Rice, 5 kg.
These figures are guideline values for the Sultana’s Premium products mentioned. The pot, hob, soaking time and desired texture can affect the result. Check the rice towards the end of the cooking time and adjust the water amount to your taste next time you cook it.
Frequently asked questions
Is sella rice a different rice variety?
For our products, both varieties are 1121 basmati. “Sella” describes the parboiling process, not a different variety.
Which basmati rice is better for biryani?
Both are suitable. White basmati gives a more delicate texture; sella stays firmer during pre-cooking, layering and final cooking. If you're preparing biryani for the first time or cooking larger quantities, sella may be easier to handle.
Why does sella rice need more water?
The grain absorbs water differently when cooked compared to white basmati. For the absorption method described here, we therefore recommend a starting ratio of 1:2 for sella and 1:1.5 for white basmati. These ratios apply to cups, i.e. volume, not weight.
Which variety should you buy?
If you're mainly looking for a fragrant side dish to go with curry or vegetables, start with white 1121 basmati rice. For biryani, layered dishes or larger portions, try 1121 sella basmati rice. This way, you'll find out which texture you like best.