Best Basmati Rice Brands Available in Australia 2025

Walk into any Indian grocery store in Australia and you’ll find an entire aisle dedicated to basmati rice. But not all basmati is the same — and choosing the wrong rice for the occasion can be the difference between a perfect biryani and a disappointing bowl of clumped rice.

This guide breaks down what makes great basmati rice, the different grades available in Australia, and which brands are worth stocking or buying.

What Makes Basmati Rice Special

Basmati is a long-grain aromatic rice variety grown primarily in the foothills of the Himalayas across India and Pakistan. The name comes from the Sanskrit “vasmati” — meaning fragrant.

What distinguishes genuine basmati from other long-grain rice:

Length — raw grains are typically 7-8mm. After cooking, authentic basmati elongates to nearly double its uncooked length — a quality characteristic called “elongation ratio.”

Aroma — genuine basmati has a natural nutty, slightly floral fragrance from a compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline that is unique to the variety.

Texture — cooked basmati should be fluffy and separate with a slight firmness. It should never be sticky or clumped.

Aging — premium basmati is aged for 12-24 months after harvest. Aging reduces moisture content and produces the elongation and non-sticky texture associated with the best biryani rice.

Understanding Basmati Grades

Everyday Basmati

Typically younger rice (less aging) that cooks well for daily meals. Acceptable elongation and fragrance. Good value. Suitable for plain rice, jeera rice and simple preparations.

Premium Aged Basmati

12-24 months of aging produces longer grains, better elongation (sometimes 2x the raw length), deeper fragrance and better separation. The standard for serious biryani.

Festival/Special Occasion Basmati

The highest grade — selected from the finest growing regions, longest aging period, maximum elongation. Used for celebrations, special occasion biryanis and gifting.

Parboiled (Sella) Basmati

Golden-coloured rice that has been partially boiled in the husk before milling. This process forces nutrients into the grain and produces a firmer, more separated texture that many Pakistani cooks prefer for biryani. The golden colour deepens during cooking.

Steam-Processed Basmati

Similar to parboiled but processed with steam rather than water. Produces a very firm, separated grain that holds up particularly well in large-batch cooking — popular with restaurants and caterers.

Dunar — Australia’s Most Recognised Basmati Brand

Dunar is one of India’s most established basmati rice brands and is now widely available in Australia through authorised distribution by Amba Foods. The Dunar range covers multiple quality tiers:

Dunar Elonga

Dunar’s flagship premium aged basmati — the “Elonga” name refers to its exceptional elongation ratio. The grains are extra-long, deeply aromatic and cook to a perfect separation.

Available in 1kg and 5kg 3D zipper packs. The zipper reseal feature maintains freshness after opening — a practical advantage over standard bags.

Best for: Premium biryanis, special occasion meals, gifting

Dunar Festiva

Festiva is positioned as Dunar’s festive-grade rice — calibrated for the elevated expectations of Eid, Diwali and wedding biryani. Long slender grains, rich aroma and a beautiful white appearance.

Available in 1kg and 5kg 3D zipper packs.

Best for: Eid biryani, Diwali celebrations, weddings, events

Dunar Nawazish

Nawazish is Dunar’s aromatic everyday basmati — consistent quality at an accessible price. Reliable cooking results and a pleasant fragrance that makes it suitable for daily cooking as well as weekend biryanis.

Available in 1kg and 5kg pouch packs.

Best for: Everyday cooking, weekly family meals, pulao

Dunar Opera

Opera is Dunar’s premium restaurant-grade basmati. Extra-long grains, exceptional aroma and perfect elongation make it the preferred choice for professional kitchens. Particularly popular with restaurant operators and catering companies who require consistent premium results at scale.

Available in 1kg and 5kg pouch packs.

Best for: Restaurant use, catering, discerning home cooks

Dunar Daily

Dunar’s everyday family rice — consistent quality and reliable cooking results for daily use. The 5kg pouch is ideal for families who cook rice regularly. The 20kg non-woven sack is the wholesale format for restaurants and catering operations.

Available in 5kg pouch and 20kg bulk sack.

Best for: Daily family cooking, restaurant bulk ordering

Dunar Gourmet Choice Steam

Premium steam-processed basmati — the steam processing locks in nutrients and produces extremely firm, well-separated grains. Excellent for large-batch cooking where separation consistency matters. Available in 5kg and 20kg formats.

Best for: Restaurants, large-batch catering, commercial kitchens

Gourmet Choice Golden Sella

Dunar’s premium parboiled golden basmati. The distinctive golden hue and firm texture make it a favourite for Dum biryani among Pakistani cooks. Available in 5kg pouch and 20kg bulk sack.

Best for: Pakistani-style dum biryani, large-batch restaurant cooking

How to Choose the Right Basmati Rice

For everyday rice (plain, jeera, pulao)

Dunar Nawazish or Dunar Daily — reliable quality, good fragrance, accessible pricing.

For weekend biryani at home

Dunar Elonga or Dunar Festiva — the aging and elongation make a noticeable difference in a proper biryani.

For a special occasion or wedding

Dunar Festiva — the festive-grade quality is worth it when the occasion demands the best.

For restaurant or catering use

Dunar Opera (premium quality) or Dunar Daily 20kg (value at volume). For large-batch operations, Dunar Gourmet Choice Steam or Golden Sella 20kg are the professional choices.

For Pakistani-style dum biryani

Gourmet Choice Golden Sella — the parboiled golden rice holds up to long dum cooking without breaking.

Tips for Cooking Perfect Basmati Rice

Rinse thoroughly — rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes surface starch and prevents clumping.

Soak before cooking — 20-30 minutes of soaking produces better elongation and more even cooking. Don’t skip this for biryani.

Water ratio matters — for absorption method, 1:1.5 (rice:water) is the starting point for aged basmati. Adjust based on your specific rice and pot.

Rest after cooking — once cooked, rest covered off heat for 5 minutes before fluffing. This allows steam to redistribute and prevents the top layer from drying out.

Don’t stir while cooking — stirring breaks the grains and releases starch. Leave it alone.

Where to Buy Dunar Basmati in Australia

Dunar rice is available through Indian grocery stores across Australia. Amba Foods is the authorised Australian distributor supplying Dunar across Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.

For wholesale enquiries (restaurants, caterers, retailers), contact Amba Foods directly on 1300 790 350 or through the wholesale enquiry form.

Summary

Choosing the right basmati rice comes down to two things: the occasion and the cooking method.

• Everyday cooking — Dunar Nawazish or Daily
• Weekend biryani — Dunar Elonga or Festiva
• Special occasions — Dunar Festiva
• Restaurants and catering — Dunar Opera or 20kg bulk formats
• Pakistani dum biryani — Gourmet Choice Golden Sella

All Dunar varieties are available at Indian grocery stores across Australia through Amba Foods’ authorised distribution network.