Rice, whether it’s Sella Rice or steam rice, is often a central decision point and a source of confusion for many buyers. However, with Habib Foods, you can easily differentiate between them and get quality rice at your doorstep without being confused. As we all know, rice is a staple and beloved by millions, widely consumed in Asia and the Middle East. You should never neglect the importance of rice, but it’s essential to understand the differences in quality, texture, nutrition, and cooking style, given the vast variety of rice available. Each type offers different nutritional value, taste, and quality, whether it’s Basmati, brown rice, steamed rice, or sella.

Both Sella and Steamed rice are equally essential but undergo different processing methods. Paddy rice undergoes steaming and, after drying, becomes steamed rice, which is hard and doesn’t break easily during cooking. In contrast, Sella rice is boiled with the husk, preserving nutrients, then dried, making it suitable for commercial and bulk cooking.

In this blog, we explore the significant differences between steamed rice and Sella rice, the differences in taste, cooking style, and nutritional value, making it easier for buyers to make decisions based on their preferences, whether they want steamed rice or Sella rice. So, without further ado, let’s explore Sella and steamed rice.

What is Sella Rice?

Sella rice, known as parboiled rice, undergoes a special hydrothermal process. During this process, the paddy is soaked for many hours with its husk, then dried before milling. This process allows the rice to absorb all essential nutrients from the husk, making the rice texture stronger and enriched with minerals. After soaking, boiling, and then drying, Sella rice offers you 8.30mm long rice with a great aroma and non-sticky texture.

Benefits of Sella Rice:

• You get more nutrition than Basmati steamed rice.
• No need to store for aging; a natural yellow golden color appears after processing.
• Each grain is firm, long, non-sticky, and separate.
• Best for bulk cooking, used commercially for restaurants and catering purposes. 

What is Steamed Rice?

Steamed rice is partially milled rice that has been gently steamed after husk removal, helping to preserve its fluffy texture, white color, and appearance. It produces 8.8mm long grains after steaming, making the rice easier to digest. It is primarily used in home cooking, especially for infants and older people, and also to achieve a high quality similar to Basmati. You don’t need to store the rice for 12 to 18 months; steaming helps maintain its quality and aroma, similar to aged Basmati. 

Benefits of Steamed Rice:

• Achieves a white texture but maintains the same quality as premium old Basmati rice.
• Keep the white color after cooking.
• The grains are sifted and fluffier, like premium Basmati.
• Ideal for daily meals and pairs perfectly with vegetable and meat curries.

Mill-to-Meal Processing Journey of steam and Sella

Rice mill processing impacts the quality of rice, especially when considering the Sella and stemmed rice, as both undergo steaming but differ in color, nutrients, and quality, which define cooking and taste.

Specification	Sella Rice	Steamed Rice
Processing	Soaked – Steamed – Dried – Milled	Husk removed – Steamed – Polished
Colour	Yellowish Golden color	White color
Texture	Firm, non-sticky, long	Soft, fluffy, slightly sticky
Shelf life	Long with a hard texture	Long
Cooking time	More time than Steamed	Less
Soaking time	45 min to 1hour	15-20 minutes
Best For	Bulk cooking/ commercial use/ catering	Regular Meal perfect to bill, with curries

Which One is a Healthier Choice in Terms of Nutrition

Sella and steamed rice differ in texture and nutritional value due to their different processing methods. It also affects the Sella rice price, generally costing more than steamed rice because it is soaked and processed more. Sella rice contains more nutrients since it is husk-stemmed and doesn’t need polishing, coming out with a natural golden yellow color after milling. In contrast, steamed rice needs to be polished.

Sella Nutritional Value

• Sella rice is rich in vitamins and minerals
• Offers a low glycemic index
• Rich in iron and calcium

Steamed Rice Nutritional Value

• Maintains nutrients through steaming but less than Sella
• Easy to digest
• Low in calorie count

You can easily get quality Sella and steamed rice without needing to look further for a rice mill near me, as with Habib Foods, and receive aromatic, premium-quality rice. Whether it’s Sella, White Basmati, or steamed rice, all ensure great aroma, long grains, and authentic taste. If you want to cook Biryani, Pulao, or fried rice, then you should choose Sella rice that is rich in nutrition, offers a non-sticky, firm texture, and absorbs the flavors of all spices. However, if you’re looking for rice for everyday meals, you can get steamed rice at an affordable price, which is perfect for simple rice dishes, light curries, and quicker cooking. 

Frequently Asked Question(FAQs):

Is Sella Rice the same as White Basmati Rice?

Sella rice is different from white Basmati rice because it is processed through soaking, steaming, and drying before milling and requires no polishing, unlike Basmati rice, which goes through milling to remove the husk, then is polished and stored for 6 to 18 months to become a premium export-quality Basmati. 

Does Steamed Rice cook faster than Sella Rice?

Yes, steamed rice cooks faster and needs less soaking time compared to boiled rice. It’s perfect for everyday meals, but if you want bulk cooking for a family gathering or a feast, sella rice offers you non-sticky, fluffy rice with a better texture.

Which rice is better for people with diabetes?

Sella Rice has a lower glycemic index than Steamed Rice, but if you switch to Brown Basmati Rice, it will be a much healthier option than Sella Rice.

Can I use Steamed Rice for Biryani?

Yes, but it does not give you the same texture as Sella, where each grain is separate.

Final Words

Finally, you know well the difference between boiled rice and steamed rice, making it easier for you to choose between the two with different processing methods. Both offer varying qualities, prices, and nutritional values. If you want to purchase high-quality rice, whether it’s Sella, steamed, premium Basmati, brown, or any other variety, then Habib Foods in Pakistan offers you quality rice. They ensure high quality from mill to meal, whether you’re enjoying delicious biryani or need rice for regular meals with curries. Get everything at an affordable price with us and enjoy the taste, tradition, love, aroma, and flavor.