Thai Jasmine Rice

      Thai Jasmine Rice (Hom Mali 105 Variety) has to have slender kernels, translucent, clear kernels after polish, no chalky kernels, and natural aroma characteristics. When cooked, Jasmine Rice is shinny, soft and tender with fragrance.
     Jasmine rice is classified as long grain rice, which has an average length of about 7 mm. Some varieties, such as the Khao Chai Nart 1, have hard kernels, but are otherwise similar to Jasmine rice. The similar characteristics of these two types have been used by some companies to sell a mix, thus sacrificing quality in an effort to reduce costs, even though the mix was sold at a higher price.
     Recently, the Prathum Tani Rice Research Center called upon the Ministry of Commerce to research an reclassify several varieties of rice, including the RD 15 Variety, Khao Hom Suphanburi Variety, Khao Hom Prathum Tani1 Variety, Khao Hom Pitsanu Lok 1 Variety. It had been declared by the ministry that these types were, in fact, “fragrant rice” (Khao Hom). They had, however, been sold in the market as Jasmine rice. This lead to some disappointment for the customers who had bought the rice in the belief that it was jasmine rice, but who were left with harder rice, with less aroma. It thus disenchanted some customers of pure Jasmine rice.

     Subsequently, a standardisation program was implemented by the Department of Inland Trade at the Ministry of Commerce.

1. Thai Hom Mali Rice 100%
2. Thai Hom Mali Rice 5%
3. Thai Hom Mali Rice 10%

    The Department of Inland Trade tries to establish the standard of Thai Jasmine Rice by issuing the Thai Jasmine Rice Mark of each grade (TRA PRANOM). The rice will be considered from many characteristics, including the amilose degree, the cooking temperatures of the rice and the cooking method. If meeting the standard, the company selling the rice is awarded the Thai Jasmine mark. It has 2 years of duration from the issuing date. All brands that received this mark have to be randomly checked by the department of inland trade to ensure that the quality of the rice meets the requirements.
    (At Sandee Rice, we are proud to have had the Jasmine Rice mark from it’s introduction, and have never failed to get it renewed…..)