Basmati Rice vs Sona Masoori Rice vs Matta Rice Which Is Best for Your Cooking Style?
If you’ve ever stood in front of a shelf full of rice varieties and wondered which one to pick you’re not alone. Walk into Asian House and you’ll find at least eight different types of rice. But three varieties come up again and again for Irish shoppers, especially those from South Asian backgrounds: Matta Rice, Sona Masoori, and Basmati Rice.
Each one has a completely different character different grain, different texture, different best use. Pick the wrong one for the wrong dish and your biryani won’t be the same. Pick the right one and your everyday dal-chawal becomes something you’d happily eat every night.
In this guide, we’re going to break down exactly what makes each rice variety unique, what dishes it excels in, and which one you should be adding to your cart at Asian House based on how you actually cook.
1. Basmati Rice in Ireland The King of Fragrance
There’s a reason Basmati is called the ‘Queen of Rice’ across the subcontinent. The word Basmati literally means ‘fragrant’ in Hindi and that aroma is unmistakable the moment it hits hot water.
What Makes Basmati Different?
Basmati is a long-grain rice grown primarily in the Himalayan foothills of India and Pakistan. Its grains are slender and needle-like when raw, and they nearly double in length when cooked staying separate, fluffy and firm rather than clumping together.
Flavour & Texture
Basmati has a naturally nutty, slightly earthy flavour with floral undertones. When cooked properly, every grain stays distinct. That’s what makes it perfect for dishes where presentation matters you want to see each grain, not a sticky mound.
Best Dishes for Basmati
- Biryani The #1 use. Long grains absorb spice and saffron beautifully without going mushy.
- Pulao / Pilaf Fragrant one-pot rice dishes with whole spices.
- Jeera Rice Simple cumin rice, a perfect side dish for dal or curry.
- Kheer Traditional rice pudding.
Cooking Tips for Basmati
- Always rinse 2-3 times until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- Soak for 20-30 minutes before cooking this is what gives you those long, separate grains.
- Use a 1:1.5 rice to water ratio (1 cup rice : 1.5 cups water).
- Never overcook Basmati goes from perfect to mushy fast. Cook on low heat after boiling.
Where to buy in Ireland: Asian House stocks premium Basmati brands including Tilda and other top suppliers, available for delivery across Dublin and nationwide.
2. Sona Masoori Rice The Smart Choice for Everyday Cooking
If Basmati is the special-occasion rice, Sona Masoori is the backbone of daily South Indian cooking. It’s the rice most commonly eaten in households across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka and increasingly by South Indian families settled across Dublin.
What Makes Sona Masoori Different?
Sona Masoori is a medium-grain hybrid rice a cross between ‘Sona’ and ‘Masoori’ varieties. The name ‘Sona’ even means gold in Hindi, referring to the golden tint the rice takes on when cooked. It’s lighter, slightly sticky when warm, and considerably lower in calories than Basmati.
Flavour & Texture
Sona Masoori has a mild, delicate aroma far less fragrant than Basmati but wonderfully soft in texture. It cooks up tender and slightly sticky, which makes it ideal for eating with gravies, curries and dals where you want the rice to absorb every drop of sauce.
Health Angle
Sona Masoori has a lower glycemic index than many rice varieties, is easier to digest, and contains less starch than Basmati. For families watching their diet or managing blood sugar levels, it’s frequently the preferred daily rice.
Best Dishes for Sona Masoori
- Plain steamed rice with dal, sambar or rasam its natural home.
- Lemon rice, tamarind rice (Puliyodarai) takes flavour beautifully.
- Pongal (sweet or savoury) the classic South Indian comfort dish.
- Curd rice needs that slightly soft, sticky texture to work.
- South Indian biryani particularly well-suited for Andhra-style biryani.
Cooking Tips for Sona Masoori
- Rinse 2 times it needs less washing than Basmati.
- Use a 1:2 ratio (1 cup rice : 2 cups water) it absorbs more water than Basmati.
- Cooks faster than Basmati usually ready in 10-12 minutes on the stovetop.
- No soaking required it’s ready to cook straight away.
Where to buy in Ireland: Asian House carries Fryday Sona Masoori Rice Dublin in 5kg and IG Sona Masoori Rice in 10kg perfect for families that cook daily.
3. Matta Rice The Nutritional Powerhouse from Kerala
Matta Rice also known as Kerala Red Rice or Palakkad Matta is the most distinctive of the three. Dark reddish-brown in colour, firm and chewy in texture, it’s an acquired taste that becomes deeply satisfying once you’re used to it. And nutritionally, it leaves both Basmati and Sona Masoori behind.
What Makes Matta Different?
Matta is a parboiled rice variety traditionally grown in the Palakkad region of Kerala. The parboiling process where the rice is partially boiled in the husk pushes nutrients from the outer layers into the grain itself. This means the vitamins and minerals survive even after milling. Its signature red colour comes from the bran layer, which remains partially intact.
Flavour & Texture
Matta has a distinctly earthy, nutty flavour unlike any other Indian rice. The grains are short and stout, and once cooked, they have a firm, chewy bite that holds up beautifully to thick gravies, fish curries and coconut-based dishes. It won’t become mushy even after a long cook.
Health Angle
Matta is genuinely one of the most nutritious rice varieties available. It’s rich in fibre, high in magnesium, and its parboiling process retains significantly more vitamins than white milled rice. Doctors in Kerala traditionally recommend it for digestion, blood sugar control and as a general health rice.
Best Dishes for Matta Rice
- Kerala fish curry and rice the classic combination.
- Chicken or mutton curry the chewy texture pairs brilliantly with thick gravies.
- Appam and stew Matta works well as a side to coconut-based dishes.
- Simple kanji (rice porridge) popular as a light, digestive meal in Kerala.
- Daily rice for health-conscious families many Keralite families in Dublin eat this every day.
Cooking Tips for Matta Rice
- Always soak Matta for at least 30 minutes ideally 1 hour. Its grains are dense and need head start.
- Use a higher water ratio: 1 cup rice to 2.5-3 cups water.
- It takes longer to cook than both Basmati and Sona Masoori allow 25-30 minutes on a pressure cooker.
- Don’t expect soft, fluffy grains Matta is meant to be firm and slightly chewy.
Where to buy in Ireland: Asian House carries multiple Matta Rice Ireland brands including Pavizham, Mayil, Double Horse, Kera and Indian Chef available in 5kg, 10kg and 20kg bags.
Quick Comparison: Basmati vs Sona Masoori vs Matta Rice
| Feature | Basmati | Sona Masoori | Matta (Kerala Red) |
| Grain Size | Long & slender | Medium | Short & stout |
| Texture (cooked) | Fluffy, separate grains | Soft, slightly sticky | Firm & chewy |
| Aroma | Strong, fragrant | Mild, delicate | Earthy, nutty |
| Calories (per 100g) | Higher | Lower | Medium |
| Glycemic Index | Low | Very Low | Low |
| Best For | Biryani, pulao, special occasions | Daily meals, sambar, dal | Kerala curries, health eating |
| Cooking Time | 15-18 mins | 10-12 mins | 25-30 mins |
| Soaking Required | Yes (20-30 mins) | No | Yes (30-60 mins) |
| Water Ratio | 1:1.5 | 1:2 | 1:2.5-3 |
| Available at Asian House | ✓ Multiple brands | ✓ 5kg & 10kg | ✓ 5 brands, up to 20kg |
So Which Rice Should You Buy?
Here’s the short answer from experience you probably need more than one:
Buy Basmati if…
- You’re making biryani, pulao or any special occasion dish.
- You want that signature fragrant, fluffy rice that impresses guests.
- You’re cooking North Indian, Pakistani or Mughlai cuisine.
Buy Sona Masoori if…
- You cook South Indian food daily dal rice, sambar, rasam, pongal.
- You’re feeding a family and want a lighter, healthier everyday rice.
- You’re Andhra, Telangana or Karnataka background and this is simply home.
Buy Matta Rice if…
- You’re from Kerala or cooking Kerala-style curries and fish dishes.
- Health and nutrition is a priority it’s the most fibre-rich of the three.
- You want a rice that genuinely holds up to bold, spicy, coconut-heavy gravies.
At Asian House Dublin, we stock all three across multiple brands and bag sizes so you’re never stuck choosing one. Many of our regular customers keep a bag of each at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Sona Masoori rice for biryani?
Yes, you can particularly for South Indian biryani styles like Andhra or Hyderabadi. However, for North Indian dum biryani, Basmati is the traditional and preferred choice as it gives you those long, separate fragrant grains.
Is Matta Rice the same as brown rice?
No though both are nutritious. Matta is a parboiled red rice variety specific to Kerala, with a unique earthy flavour and firm texture. Brown rice is any rice that retains its bran layer. They are different grains with different tastes and cooking methods.
Which rice is best for weight loss?
Sona Masoori is generally considered the best option for weight management among the three it’s lower in calories and starch, easier to digest and has a low glycemic index. Matta Rice is also excellent due to its high fibre content.
Where can I buy these rice varieties in Dublin?
All three rice varieties Basmati, Sona Masoori and Matta are available at Asian House, located at 149 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7 and 71 Belmayne Ave, Dublin 13. We also offer delivery across Dublin and throughout Ireland. Shop online at asianhouse.ie.
How long does rice last once opened?
Uncooked white rice (Basmati and Sona Masoori) stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place will last up to 2 years. Matta Rice, being a parboiled variety, typically lasts around 12-18 months. Always store away from moisture and direct sunlight.
Shop All Rice Varieties at Asian House
| 🍚 Basmati Rice Multiple brands & sizes asianhouse.ie/product-category/basmati-rice-2/ | 🌾 Sona Masoori Rice 5kg & 10kg bags asianhouse.ie/product-category/sona-masoori-rice-2/ | 🔴 Matta Rice 5 brands, up to 20kg asianhouse.ie/product-category/matta-rice-2/ |
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