What’s the best quality basmati rice available in the UK? | TheaterFire

What’s the best quality basmati rice available in the UK?

Posted by 4321zxcvb@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 64 comments

I usually go to the big Asda to buy 10kg bags kohinoor XL basmati. This is excellent but going to Asda is a special trip so am wondering if anyone has recommendations. I have found all supermarket premium brands to be poor with ots of broken grains and not much flavour.

Particularly interested in hearing from those immersed in curry eating culture who eat rice everyday. Also if there are any particular brands available at supermarkets worth trying (we have a big tesco and regular lidl nearby).

Thanks

[-]

Longjumping_Way_341@reddit

India Gate > Kohinoor Platinum XL> Tilda > Trophy > Laila > Badshah > Sallam> Retail brands. There is very small change in quality. Anyone can be used for everyday rice. For speciality dishes like Biryani long aged rice go with India Gate, a slight flavour would be Kohinoor Platinum, Tilda has over jasmine flavour that gives a no to me. I have seen many Indian Pakistani restaurants use Sallam Basmati or do mixing.

[-]

SunDriedFart@reddit

I always loved Tilda

[-]

99catsandcakes@reddit

Tilda (in the blue bag) has been consistently awful and always breaks when I cook it. Yes, I wash it, soak it and never use more than 1:1 water.

[-]

SpiceFein@reddit

Never experienced this even once. Are you pressure cooking it for 1hr or something lol.

[-]

anonyy@reddit

I've seen videos where they say they changed what they did with it. I it no longer what it used to be, but which is a shame really as it was a good rice

[-]

Ed_atts@reddit

Do you have links to any of these videos? I've been buying it for 11 years and the most recent bag did not smell right, smelt waxy and plastic and lacked the nutty depth. I bought a second from a different distributer and it's the same story. Really disappointed and going to have to find a new regular brand now.

[-]

LittleSadRufus@reddit

Yes I buy a 10kg bag of Tilda basmati on Amazon every so often (can't find it locally). Tastes great and doesn't really need to be washed.

I bought a cheaper brand in bulk and it just wasn't anywhere near as nice.

[-]

GemmaLou19@reddit

You can also buy it directly via the Tilda website now and comes with free delivery (because it's over £20), seems to be a similar price to what you can get in the supermarkets/on amazon too.

[-]

Outrageous_Jury4152@reddit

I second this.

[-]

cloche_du_fromage@reddit

Layla. Get it in all Asian supermarkets.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Thanks . I’ll try it when I see it.

[-]

AvgPakistani@reddit

Idk if you’re still looking, but I came across this post whilst trying to find something to run away from Laila from.

[-]

the_actuary@reddit

Dont inferior quality rice.

[-]

Rh-27@reddit

That's medium affordable quality.

Nothing wrong with it's but certainly not top tier.

It's my households everyday rice.

[-]

cloche_du_fromage@reddit

Layla Gold then? 😁

[-]

Great-Explorer-5839@reddit

Fuck Tilda. Fuck Laila. Get Kohinoor diamond XXL rice. Thank me later

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Thanks for input. Do you have experience of any of the lesser known brands one sees in world food supermarkets?

[-]

Great-Explorer-5839@reddit

No worries mate. Usually if there's something like "1121" written on the packaging, it should be good. Also you can get it delivered from Amazon. I've tried Arman, it is really great.

[-]

SRoughAubergine@reddit

I honestly hate both but Laila much more. Their grains are extremely weak and break so easily.

[-]

Significant_Return_2@reddit

I used to be married to a Sri Lankan lady. Her family bought Kohinoor mostly, but occasionally Tilda.

I prefer Kohinoor. I buy mine from Tesco in the 10kg bags, but wait until it’s on offer, which is often. It’s currently reduced from £24.50 to £19.50. Not the biggest discount, but it’s still 20%

[-]

Nothing_F4ce@reddit

Morrison's has it for £14 pounds now.

Tesco usually has it around this price around Diwali that's when I always bought it

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

That’s the brand I currently get but only see it in asda. Maybe our Tesco isn’t big enough or the demand isn’t than great. I’ll have an another look but the price is asda is usually pretty good.

[-]

Significant_Return_2@reddit

Our Tesco is massive, so yours may well be smaller. I usually get my shopping delivered, which all comes from the biggest shop in the area (my local one).

It may be cheaper/easier to get a load of heavy stuff delivered. Possibly. Not my decision, but it’s what I do. I don’t need to lug it back home, if someone else is doing it 🙂

[-]

Busy_Acanthaceae_296@reddit

Get Tilda 5kg or 10kg on Amazon. Best rice Laila is not Indian brand

[-]

pronoobmage@reddit

I wouldn't buy anything edible from Amazon. The amount of counterfeit products on there is terrifying—especially food-related ones—because you're not just risking your money, but your health too.

[-]

GemmaLou19@reddit

You can buy it direct from Tilda (usually same price as Amazon too) obviously Amazon is quite often next day delivery but at least you're buying it direct from the retailer so you know it's not fake.

[-]

2AMarvin@reddit

Yup, just one nasty example - https://yumove.co.uk/pages/amazon-faqs

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Does not being Indian make a difference? What is the regional variation?

[-]

Busy_Acanthaceae_296@reddit

There isn't a regional variation equivalent to Tilda, Dawaat or Laila. Most supermarkets have their own brands but they usually only come in 1-2 kg packs.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

The super market own brands I’ve tried are rubbish. Did you edit you comment ? Maybe I replied to wrong one. Someone mentioned not Indian, hence my question.

[-]

Busy_Acanthaceae_296@reddit

Yes I misunderstood the question earlier. If you need best quality rice in UK, Tilda or Dawaat is a great option. I haven't used Laila but it's considered less premium than Tilda I believe, it's cheaper though. You can get these at Indian/asian stores like Patel brothers, Taj stores or Quality foods if you have one near you.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

We do have Asian grocers but would be a special trip like the big asda. Although I do need to stock up on jars of pickle.

[-]

the_actuary@reddit

Overpriced and not that great but its considered a premium brand.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

But I won’t be getting from Amazon, needs to be from a shop.

[-]

Round-Prompt3119@reddit

Tilda Basmati Rice has gone downhill since changing management.

[-]

ConcertWonderful8439@reddit

I would rate Falak (extreme) and Zebra (XL sella) over Laila and Kohinoor. Obviously these are found in the Asian supermarkets / grocery stores

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Thanks. I’ll plan a trip and get some

[-]

djfnejdijRandom@reddit

I haven’t tried that many, but for me Waitrose own brand aged white basmati is the best, very fragrant and always cooks perfectly.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Thanks

[-]

Newreddituserw@reddit

I think they are ok. Kohinoor has quite a few varieties am not sure which one is very good

[-]

the-ordinary-man@reddit

best of the lot that i used is Daawat. the rice wont get sticky even if you overcook.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

I’ll look out for it. I’m gonna guess it’s not available in tesco

[-]

the-ordinary-man@reddit

Most likely you will get it from indian or pakistani stores. Its very famously used for biryani dishes. if you are looking for rice to eat with any curry, tilda will perfectly do. Its pretty much available in any supermarket.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Well I’m looking for the best possible rice available and also back up options available in tesco / lidl.

[-]

the-ordinary-man@reddit

Then Daawat and Tilda. some batches of Kohinoor are pretty shite, poor quality control.

[-]

Newreddituserw@reddit

You will have to go to those Indian grocery shops.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

I will indeed. There always plant of other bits to stock up on.

[-]

Newreddituserw@reddit

If you go, any of these brands will be good

Daawat India gate India queen Tilda (premium) Laila extra premium

Basically, in that order

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Nice. Thanks. No mention of kohinoor XL ? It gets a few mentions and is my favourite I’ve tried.

[-]

Newreddituserw@reddit

This and I cook a lot of dishes with basmati rice

[-]

Outrageous_Jury4152@reddit

If you eat a lot of rice get a rice cooker for sure.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Well… kitchen space is at a premium and my cooking method is good.

[-]

the_actuary@reddit

Dont need a rice cooker. Easiest recipe for ‘basmati’ rice is 1. Wash a couple of times to take off the starch, otherwise rice will stick 2. Fill it up with water generously. Dont need to have random measures like x inches above rice. Just ensure rice is covered with water and lots more (just that it doesnt overflow when water is boiling). 3. Get to a boil and then cook till rice gets soft. No need to cover with a lid. Usually takes 15-20 mins but depends on the rice, will learn with experience. 4. The rice will get soft and plenty of water should left. Drain the water and you will end up with perfectly fluffy rice everytime.

[-]

Rh-27@reddit

Rice cooker makes rice taste too starchy, even with rinsing rice multiple times until clear.

The South Asian way is the drain and steam method. Far superior.

East Asians use rice cookers.

[-]

Outrageous_Jury4152@reddit

I like sticky starchy rice so it's fine for me

[-]

NoLove_NoHope@reddit

I’m half African and half Asian. My parents really like the extra long Kohinoor but Dawaat is good too. They live by a Morrisons so get it from there.

Layla is okay in a pinch, idk what it is but I don’t love it.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Yes I get the XL kohinoor and is so far my favourite. I’ve a good few new ones to try now.

Thanks for answering

[-]

Rh-27@reddit

Dawaat or Tilda Grand are arguably the best basmati rice you can get in the UK.

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Thanks

[-]

Rh-27@reddit

No worries.

You won't find dawaat in western stores. You will need to visit a South Asian cash and carry.

Tilda has a larger brand presence and the grand one can be found everywhere.

[-]

Intrepid_Bearz@reddit

I always get Tilda. It;s what my parents and grandparents (Sri Lankan) always got.

[-]

Newreddituserw@reddit

Tilda is good if its premium one, that is extra long

[-]

4321zxcvb@reddit (OP)

Sri Lankan grandparents is a good recommendation

[-]

AutoModerator@reddit

Please help keep AskUK welcoming!

When repling to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!

Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.