Sella Basmati Rice

Appears in
The Red Sea Cookbook: Over 100 family recipes and stories from Saudi Arabia

By Madeeha Qureshi

Published 2026

  • About

Basmati rice is divided into two main types. The first is aged long-grain basmati rice commonly used as plain boiled rice or pulao/pilav. The second one is sella basmati rice aka golden par-boiled basmati rice, which sometimes has a specific identification code (1121) on its packaging. Basically, this is an extra-long hybrid variety of basmati rice that has been treated, par-boiled while still in its husk, and then milled for a sturdier structure and enhanced taste. Due to this toughening process, sella basmati is the go-to choice for biryani, Lahm al Mandi, Saudi Kabsa, my Carrot Rice and my all-time favourite Jewelled Rice.