Rice is a staple food for billions of people around the world, and choosing the right brand of raw rice can significantly impact the flavor and texture of your meals. With numerous options available in the market, it can be challenging to identify the best brands that offer high-quality, aromatic grains. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the top raw rice brands known for their consistency, taste, and nutritional value. Keep reading below to discover which brands made it to our list and why they are favored by both home cooks and professional chefs alike.
Illustration of raw rice
Best brands of raw rice in 2025
Lundberg Family Farms
Lundberg Family Farms is a pioneering brand in the production of high-quality, organic rice, with a rich history dating back to 1937. The company is committed to regenerative farming practices, as evidenced by its ROA certification for over 70 rice products, ensuring soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. Lundberg Family Farms uses 100% renewable energy, having offset its grid consumption with renewable energy credits (RECs) for 19 years. The company also achieves a remarkable 99.7% diversion of company waste and maintains Platinum TRUE Zero Waste certification. Additionally, they protect habitats for hundreds of species, including rescuing over 30,000 duck eggs annually. For more insights into their initiatives and heritage, please visit their company's story.
Nishiki
Yamada Nishiki, often referred to as the 'King of Sake Rice,' is a premier variety of rice used for sake brewing, accounting for over a third of the total sake-specific rice grown in Japan. Produced primarily in Hyogo Prefecture since 1936, it is cultivated in 33 prefectures and is highly prized for its large grains and high starch content, making it ideal for producing high-quality, fragrant ginjo-style sake. In 2014, Hyogo Prefecture alone produced 21,036 tons of Yamada Nishiki, which is 71% of the national total. This variety is favored by nearly every brewery in Japan, with Asahi Shuzo purchasing about 20% of the total production for their Dassai brand. The demand for Yamada Nishiki has led to an expansion in cultivation areas, now covering over 40,000 hectares. For a more in-depth exploration, check out a closer look into Yamada Nishiki rice.
Tilda
Tilda is a leading brand in sustainable rice production, particularly notable for its efforts in increasing the annual rice yields of north Indian farmers by 7% through the alternate wet and dry (AWD) irrigation technique. This method, developed by the International Rice Research Institute, reduces water usage and methane emissions, with farmers seeing a 27% decrease in electricity used for irrigation. Tilda worked with 1,270 farmers in northern India in 2023, demonstrating significant environmental and economic benefits. The AWD technique can reduce methane emissions by up to 45% compared to traditional methods. Tilda's initiative is part of a broader goal to make rice production more sustainable globally.
Zatarain's
Zatarain's is a renowned brand in the rice industry, particularly known for its high-quality long grain rice. As part of McCormick & Company, Incorporated, one of the major players in the global rice market, Zatarain's contributes to the robust growth of the rice sector, which is projected to reach USD 382.2 billion by 2032, with long-grain rice commanding a significant share. Zatarain's Enriched Long Grain Rice is enriched with iron, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, and folic acid, ensuring nutritional value. The brand's products are popular for their fluffy and non-sticky texture, making them ideal for various dishes like jambalaya and gumbo. With a long history of providing authentic New Orleans meals, Zatarain's remains a trusted choice for consumers.
Royal
Royal, the largest selling basmati rice brand in North America, is a prominent producer of high-quality raw rice, known for its aromatic, non-sticky, and fluffy grains. Part of LT Foods, Royal benefits from integrated manufacturing facilities in locations such as Sonepat, Bhopal, and Amritsar, ensuring a production capacity of up to 45 tons per hour. The brand holds various certifications including ISO, SQF, BRC, and Halal, ensuring stringent quality standards. Royal's global presence extends to over 80 countries, highlighting its widespread acceptance and market dominance. The brand's success is also reflected in the growing global rice market, which was valued at USD 287.45 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.2% from 2022 to 2028.
Daawat
Daawat, the flagship brand of LT Foods Ltd, stands as one of the leading producers of high-quality raw rice, boasting a significant market share of 30.1% in India as of December 2023, according to AC Nielsen retail survey audits. The brand has seen substantial growth, with a 15% increase in India's business and a 27% growth in the US Basmati rice segment. Daawat's success is attributed to its strong product portfolio, targeted marketing campaigns, and expanded distribution networks, now present in over 78 countries. The company's EBITDA and PAT have also shown impressive year-on-year increases, with EBITDA up by 35% and PAT up by 55% in the first half of FY2024. Daawat's market dominance is further reinforced by its strong performance in the Basmati and specialty rice segments. For more detailed insights, read about Daawat's rice market share increase.
Kohinoor
Kohinoor Foods Ltd is a prominent player in the rice industry, particularly known for its high-quality Basmati rice. The company has exhibited significant growth in Basmati rice exports, with a 37% increase in export revenue in the year ending March 2014, and it conducts business in over 60 countries. Kohinoor's Basmati rice has seen impressive demand in international markets, especially in the Middle East, driven by successful marketing campaigns and a weak Indian currency. The company's focus on select markets and customers has contributed to its remarkable export performance. Despite recent challenges, Kohinoor remains a major brand in the global rice market.
Carolina
The Carolina brand, particularly associated with the historical rice production in the Carolinas, was once a prominent producer of high-quality raw rice. In the mid-19th century, South Carolina alone produced over 75% of the country's rice, with a peak production of 159,930,613 pounds in 1850. The cultivar known as "Carolina Gold" was highly esteemed and exported to various countries, including France, where it was popularized by renowned chefs. Although the industry declined after the American Civil War, efforts are being made to reintroduce "Carolina Gold" as a commercially grown crop. Today, while the Carolinas are no longer the primary rice-producing regions, the legacy of Carolina rice remains significant in the history of American agriculture. For more detailed information, visit the rice production in the United States article on Wikipedia.
Mahatma
Mahatma is renowned as one of the best producers of raw rice, particularly known for its long-grain variety, which accounts for a significant portion of the market. This premium-grade rice is celebrated for its exceptional taste, texture, and versatility, with each 2-pound bag ensuring fluffy and separate grains. Mahatma Long Grain Rice is part of a larger rice industry where long-grain production dominates, accounting for approximately 75% of U.S. rice production. The brand's product is easy to prepare and is a staple in many households, reflecting the broader trend where U.S. rice exports, including milled and rough rice, play a crucial role in global markets. With a case containing 18 bags, Mahatma offers a plentiful supply for all cooking needs. For more information and to purchase, visit the Mahatma Long Grain Rice product page.
Lotus Foods
Lotus Foods is a leading producer of organic and heirloom rice, known for its innovative and sustainable farming practices. Since 2009, the company has purchased 58.3 million pounds of organic rice, saving 57.1 thousand cumulative tons of CO2e and 6.1 billion gallons of water through its More Crop Per Drop® (MCPD®) program, which utilizes the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method. This approach minimizes water usage, improves soil health, empowers women, and increases farm incomes. Lotus Foods has also achieved Regenerative Organic Certified™ (ROC™) Silver for its traditional White and Brown Basmati Rice, setting a new standard in sustainable farming. As a certified B Corporation, the company is committed to changing how rice is grown globally.
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