Basmati Rice Specifications Explained
What every line on a basmati spec sheet means, with typical export values and a sample specification you can adapt.
A basmati specification is the contract's description of the rice. When a shipment is disputed, it is the document everyone reads. Each line below appears on most export spec sheets, with what it means and the range you are likely to see.
Variety and form
Name the variety, such as Pusa Basmati 1121, 1509, 1401 or 1718, or traditional basmati. Then name the form: raw, steam, white (creamy) sella or golden sella. The form changes colour, texture and cooking time as much as the variety does. See steam vs sella basmati rice.
Average grain length (AGL)
The mean length of whole, uncooked grains in a sample, in millimetres. It is measured with a grain length gauge or image analyser on grains picked at random, with brokens excluded. For sorted 1121 steam rice, contracts are commonly written at around 8.3 to 8.4 mm. Other varieties are lower. State the AGL as a minimum and name the measurement method.
Cooked length and elongation ratio
Cooked length is the average length of grains after a standard cooking test. The elongation ratio is cooked length divided by raw length. Basmati is prized for growing mainly lengthwise: 1121 can reach around 20 mm or more cooked. These are good figures to test on samples, but they depend on the cooking method, so many contracts leave them out or quote them as typical values.
Broken grains
The percentage by weight of kernels shorter than three-quarters of a whole kernel, the definition used by the Codex rice standard. Premium basmati is usually traded at a maximum of 1% or 2% broken. Our article on broken percentage explains how it is measured and why it matters.
Moisture
Water content by weight. Too much moisture risks mould and insect activity during a long voyage; too little makes grains brittle. Export contracts typically set a maximum of about 12.5% to 13%. Moisture is measured with a calibrated moisture meter and confirmed by the oven method in case of dispute.
Purity and admixture
The share of the stated variety, or the maximum percentage of other varieties mixed in. This protects you from cheaper grain blended into a premium lot. Buyers of premium basmati commonly ask for 95% purity or better, and laboratories can check variety with DNA tests where needed.
Damaged, discoloured, chalky and immature grains
- Damaged and discoloured: grains that are visibly spotted, yellowed, black-tipped or damaged by heat, insects or moisture. Typical limit: under 1%.
- Chalky: grains with opaque white areas, which cook softer and break more easily. Typical limit: 2% to 5%, depending on variety.
- Immature: thin, green or underdeveloped grains. Typical limit: under 1%.
Foreign matter
Stones, husk, straw, dust and other non-rice material. Well-cleaned export rice should be close to nil. Contracts often say "nil" or set a maximum of around 0.1%.
Sortex and polish
"Sortex cleaned" or "double sortex" means the rice has passed through optical colour sorters once or twice to remove discoloured grains and foreign particles. Degree of polish describes how much bran has been removed; export basmati is normally well polished. Specify it only if you have a particular requirement, and never accept polishing agents, oils or artificial fragrance.
Crop year and ageing
Basmati improves with ageing: it cooks more evenly and elongates better. State the crop year you want, for example "crop 2025", rather than just "new" or "old" crop.
The legal floor: India's basmati standard
India's food regulator, FSSAI, has enforced identity standards for basmati since 1 August 2023. Among other things, milled basmati must have an average grain length of at least 6.61 mm and a breadth of no more than 2 mm, an average cooked length of at least 12 mm, and an elongation ratio of at least 1.7 (1.5 for parboiled). The standard also caps moisture at 14% and damaged or defective grains at 3%, and requires natural basmati fragrance with no artificial colouring, polishing agents or fragrance. Export specifications for premium grades sit well above these minimums.
A sample specification
| Parameter | Example: 1121 steam basmati, premium export grade |
|---|---|
| Variety and form | Pusa Basmati 1121, steam |
| Average grain length | 8.30 mm minimum |
| Broken grains | 1% maximum by weight |
| Moisture | 12.5% maximum |
| Purity (1121) | 95% minimum |
| Damaged and discoloured | 0.5% maximum |
| Chalky grains | 2% maximum |
| Immature grains | 1% maximum |
| Foreign matter | Nil |
| Processing | Double sortex cleaned, well polished, no additives |
| Crop year | As agreed, aged |
| Packing | As agreed, with an approved sealed sample |
These values illustrate a premium grade. Adjust them to your market and price point, and agree every figure with your supplier in writing.
How it will be measured
Add one line naming the inspection agency, the sampling method and where testing happens, usually at loading in India. Without it, the same rice can produce different numbers in two laboratories. Our quality policy shows the checks we run on every lot.
Send us your current specification and we will return a matching sample and spec sheet for your approval.
