Jasmati Rice is a conventionally bred, inbred line (variety) of long grain of rice whose name is derived from
jasmine rice
Jasmine rice ( th, ข้าวหอมมะลิ; ; ) is a long-grain variety of fragrant rice (also known as aromatic rice). Its fragrance, reminiscent of ''pandan'' (''Pandanus amaryllifolius'') and popcorn, results from the rice plant's n ...
and
basmati
Basmati, , is a variety of long, slender-grained aromatic rice which is traditionally grown in India, Pakistan, and Nepal. . Jasmati is neither "
genetically engineered
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification or genetic manipulation, is the modification and manipulation of an organism's genes using technology. It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including t ...
" (as in
transgenic
A transgene is a gene that has been transferred naturally, or by any of a number of genetic engineering techniques, from one organism to another. The introduction of a transgene, in a process known as transgenesis, has the potential to change the ...
) nor is it an
F1 hybrid
An F1 hybrid (also known as filial 1 hybrid) is the first filial generation of offspring of distinctly different parental types. F1 hybrids are used in genetics, and in selective breeding, where the term F1 crossbreed may be used. The term is some ...
. It is said to possess the traits of both grains – namely the softness (when cooked) of basmati, and the nutty aroma of jasmine – the latter in muted tones so as to be more subtle.
It appears to have been first created in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
. To what degree Jasmati is derived from its
etymological
Etymology () The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) – p. 633 "Etymology /ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi/ the study of the class in words and the way their meanings have changed throughout time". is the study of the history of the form of words a ...
parent grains is unknown and disputed.
The patent for Jasmati, registered in 1993 by the Texas-based corporation,
RiceTec, had legal implications for Thai and Indian farmers who rely heavily on the exports of the parent crops, and caused controversy. Presently the debate seems to have cooled down. As the degree to which Jasmati draws from Jasmine cannot be ascertained,
the informed consumer should be aware that it is therefore a different grain and may or may not be a complete substitute for either Jasmine or basmati. This suggests that Jasmati may have its own unique merits as a cooking ingredient.
References
Rice varieties
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