Traditional Rice Varieties of Tamil Nadu: A Shopper’s Guide

Red rice

Red or reddish-brown bran. Soak before cooking for softer grains.

• Kerala Matta RiceKerala Matta rice, traditional red rice variety with a hearty texture.from ₹54
• Kullakar RiceKullakar rice, traditional red rice variety with a rich natural flavor.from ₹56
• Kuruvikar RiceKuruvikar rice, traditional red rice variety with a rich natural flavor.from ₹56
• Navara RiceNavara rice, traditional red rice variety known for its distinctive color.from ₹67
• Poongaar Raw RicePoongaar raw rice, traditional red rice variety with a distinctive flavor.from ₹64
• Rajamudi RiceRajamudi rice, traditional red rice variety with a wholesome texture.from ₹69
• Sivappu Arisi (Red Rice)Red rice, traditional rice variety with a rich natural color and flavor.from ₹44
• Sivappu Kavuni Rice (Red Kavuni)Red Kavuni rice, traditional red rice variety with a rich natural flavor.from ₹84

Black rice

Deep purple-black grains, usually soaked longest before cooking.

• Karung Kuruvai Rice (Black Kuruvai)Karung Kuruvai rice, traditional dark rice variety for nutritious meals.from ₹56
• Karuppu Kavuni Broken Rice (Black Rice, Broken)Broken Karuppu Kavuni rice, traditional black rice pieces suitable for cooking.from ₹66
• Karuppu Kavuni Rice (Black Rice)Karuppu Kavuni rice, traditional black rice variety with a rich flavor.from ₹90

Aromatic rice

Fragrant grains, often chosen for biryani and festive cooking.

• Basmati RiceBasmati rice, long-grain aromatic rice ideal for biryani and special meals.from ₹61
• Kala Namak RiceKala Namak rice, traditional aromatic rice variety with a distinctive taste.from ₹64
• Kichili Samba RiceKichili Samba rice, traditional aromatic rice variety for everyday meals.from ₹53
• Seeraga Samba Boiled RiceSeeraga Samba boiled rice, aromatic traditional rice ideal for biryani.from ₹59
• Seeraga Samba Raw RiceSeeraga Samba raw rice, aromatic traditional rice ideal for biryani.from ₹56
• Vasanai Seeraga Samba RiceVasanai Seeraga Samba rice, aromatic traditional rice with a distinctive fragrance.from ₹67

Everyday rice

Familiar everyday varieties for meals, idli and dosa.

• Athisaya Ponni Boiled RiceAthisaya Ponni boiled rice, traditionally processed for wholesome everyday meals.from ₹29
• IR 20 Boiled RiceIR 20 boiled rice, traditionally processed rice suitable for everyday cooking.from ₹30
• IR 20 Raw RiceIR 20 raw rice, versatile rice variety suitable for everyday cooking.from ₹52
• Mathaji White Ponni RiceMathaji White Ponni rice, versatile rice suitable for everyday cooking.from ₹38
• Mysore Malli RiceMysore Mali rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹56
• Ponni Idli RicePonni Idli rice, traditional rice variety ideal for soft idli preparation.from ₹36
• Salem Sanna RiceSelam Sana rice, traditional rice variety suitable for everyday meals.from ₹56
• Swarna Masuri Boiled RiceSwarna Masuri boiled rice, traditionally processed for everyday cooking.from ₹56
• Swarna Masuri Raw RiceSwarna Masuri raw rice, versatile traditional rice for everyday cooking.from ₹56
• Thooya Malli Boiled RiceThooya Malli boiled rice, traditionally processed rice suitable for daily meals.from ₹59
• Thooya Malli Raw RiceThooya Malli raw rice, traditional unboiled rice suitable for everyday meals.from ₹56
• White Ponni Boiled RiceWhite Ponni boiled rice, traditionally processed rice for everyday cooking.from ₹44
• White Ponni Raw RiceWhite Ponni raw rice, versatile traditional rice for everyday cooking.from ₹44

Samba and other heritage varieties

Regional and seasonal varieties, each with its own taste and texture.

• 60 Than Kuruvai RiceThan Kuruvai rice, traditional rice variety suitable for everyday meals.from ₹56
• Attur Kichili Samba RiceAttur Kichili Samba rice, traditional rice variety with a distinctive flavor.from ₹56
• Chengalpattu Sirumani RiceChengalpattu Sirumani rice, traditional regional rice variety for everyday meals.from ₹56
• Garudan Samba RiceGarudan Samba rice, traditional nutritious rice variety for everyday meals.from ₹74
• Iluppai Poo Samba RiceIluppai Poo Samba rice, traditional rice variety with a unique flavor.from ₹67
• Kaikuthal Rice (Hand-Pounded)Kaikuthal rice, traditionally hand-pounded rice with a wholesome texture.from ₹56
• Kaivara Samba RiceKaivara Samba rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹67
• Kala Namak White RiceWhite Kala Namak rice, traditional rice variety with a mild natural flavor.from ₹67
• Kallunda Samba RiceKallunda Samba rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹97
• Karuthakar RiceKaruthakar rice, traditional rice variety with a distinctive natural flavor.from ₹67
• Katta Samba RiceKatta Samba rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹56
• Kattu Yanam RiceKattu Yanam rice, traditional rice variety with a distinctive natural flavor.from ₹54
• Kothamalli Samba RiceKothamalli Samba rice, traditional rice variety with a distinctive aroma.from ₹56
• Kudavazhai RiceKudavazhai rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹56
• Kuzhi Adichan RiceKuzhi Adichan rice, traditional rice variety suitable for everyday meals.from ₹56
• Mani Samba RiceMani Samba rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹78
• Mappillai Samba Boiled RiceMappillai Samba boiled rice, traditional rice processed for easy cooking.from ₹56
• Mappillai Samba Raw RiceMappillai Samba raw rice, traditional unboiled rice with a rich flavor.from ₹56
• Mattai RiceMadumulangi rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹67
• Milagu Samba RiceMilagu Samba rice, traditional rice variety with a distinctive flavor.from ₹68
• Moongil Arisi (Bamboo Rice)Bamboo rice, traditional rice variety with a distinctive natural flavor.from ₹193
• Nei Kichadi RiceNeikichali rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals. Nofrom ₹56
• Ottadayan RiceOttadayan rice, traditional rice variety suitable for everyday cooking.from ₹67
• Pesini RicePesini rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome everyday meals.from ₹67
• Poongaar Boiled RicePoongaar boiled rice, traditionally processed rice with a rich natural flavor.from ₹67
• Rathasaali RiceRathasaali rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹69
• Sivan Samba RiceSivan Samba rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹67
• Sura Kuruvai RiceSura Kuruvai rice, traditional rice variety with a distinctive flavor.from ₹64
• Thanga Samba RiceThanga Samba rice, traditional rice variety with a rich natural flavor.from ₹56
• Thulasi Samba RiceThulasi Samba rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹67
• Vaadan Samba RiceVaadan Samba rice, traditional rice variety with a distinctive natural flavor.from ₹67
• Valavan Samba RiceValavan Samba rice, traditional rice variety suitable for wholesome meals.from ₹67

Raw rice or boiled rice?

Raw rice (pachai arisi) is milled straight after harvest. It cooks a little stickier and is used for pongal, sweets, and dishes where a softer grain is wanted.

Boiled rice (puzhungal arisi), also called parboiled rice, is soaked and steamed in its husk before milling. The grains stay more separate after cooking, which is why many homes use it for everyday meals.

Several varieties, such as Mappillai Samba, Seeraga Samba, Ponni and Swarna Masuri, come in both forms. Each product page shows which one it is.

Cooking and storing traditional rice

• Rinse two or three times in clean water until the water runs clearer.
• Traditional varieties cook softer after soaking. Most need 2 to 8 hours; red and black rice need the longer end.
• Cook with about 3 to 4 cups of water per cup of rice in a pot, or follow your pressure cooker's whistle count for brown rice.

• Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Unpolished rice keeps its bran, so use it within a few months for the best taste. Keep a bay leaf or dry neem leaves in the tin to keep insects away.