When importers ask us for Pakistani basmati, two names come up again and again: 1121 and Super Kernel. Both are true basmati rice grown in Punjab, Pakistan, and both cook into fluffy, separate grains. But they are not the same, and choosing the right one for your customers can make a big difference to repeat orders. This guide explains the differences in plain English.
The short answer
Choose 1121 when your customers care most about extra-long, separate grains that look impressive on the plate, for example in restaurants, catering and Gulf rice dishes. Choose Super Kernel when your customers care most about aroma and taste, for example families who cook basmati at home every day. Many wholesalers stock both.
1121 and Super Kernel side by side
| 1121 basmati | Super Kernel basmati | |
|---|---|---|
| Average grain length (raw) | About 8.2 to 8.4 mm | About 7.2 to 7.4 mm |
| After cooking | Very long and slim; grains more than double in length | Long and soft, with a rich basmati taste |
| Aroma | Pleasant, mild to medium | Strong natural aroma |
| Forms | White (raw), steam, golden sella, white sella | White (raw), steam, golden sella |
| Popular with | Restaurants, caterers, Gulf markets, premium retail | Families and retail buyers who want aroma |
| HS code | 1006.30 (semi-milled or wholly milled rice) | |
These figures are typical. The exact specification for each order is written into the sales contract.
What is 1121 basmati?
1121 is a basmati variety known for the longest grains of any basmati. In Pakistan it is grown in the basmati belt of central Punjab. Its biggest selling point is elongation: when cooked, each grain grows long and slim and stays separate. That makes it the first choice for biryani, pulao, mandi and kabsa served in restaurants and at events.
1121 is sold as new crop or as aged rice. Ageing for 6 to 12 months gives a fuller aroma and better cooking, and aged rice is usually priced a little higher. See our 1121 white basmati page for the full specification.
What is Super Kernel basmati?
Super Kernel is a traditional Pakistani basmati with a shorter grain than 1121 but a stronger natural aroma. Many families, especially in South Asian communities around the world, choose it for its fragrance and taste. It cooks soft and fluffy and suits everyday rice, pulao and biryani at home. See our Super Kernel basmati page for grades and packing.
White, steam or sella: which form?
Both varieties come in different forms, and the form changes how the rice cooks as much as the variety does.
- White (raw): milled straight from the paddy. Softest texture and strongest aroma. Best for home cooking.
- Steam: the paddy is steamed before milling. Grains are firmer and break less. Popular with restaurants. See 1121 steam basmati.
- Golden sella: parboiled paddy with a golden colour. Very firm, non-sticky and hard to overcook. A favourite for kabsa and mandi. See 1121 golden sella.
- White sella (creamy sella): lightly parboiled, creamy white and firm. See 1121 white sella.
How to choose for your market
- Restaurants, hotels and caterers: 1121 steam or sella, because the grains stay long and separate in large pots.
- Gulf rice dishes such as kabsa and mandi: 1121 golden sella.
- Supermarkets and families: Super Kernel white for aroma, or 1121 white for long grains. Retail bags of 1, 2 and 5 kg work well.
- Price-sensitive buyers: consider a non-basmati long grain such as PK-386 or IRRI-6.
Prices for both varieties move with each crop, so ask us for a current quotation for the forms and packing you need.
What to put in your purchase specification
Whichever rice you choose, agree these points in writing before you order:
- Average grain length (for example 8.30 mm average and 8.20 mm minimum for 1121)
- Broken grains (1%, 2% or 5%)
- Moisture (usually 12.5% to 13% maximum)
- Damaged, discoloured and chalky grains (maximum %)
- Polish and sorting (for example double silky polished and Sortexed)
- Crop year, and whether the rice is new crop or aged
- Packing, bag printing and labels
- Inspection, for example by SGS or a similar company
Packing and container loads
Basmati is packed in 1, 2 and 5 kg retail bags, 10 to 25 kg bags, or 40 to 50 kg PP bags. A 20 ft container usually takes about 25 to 27 metric tons of rice in 25 or 50 kg bags. Because of weight limits, a 40 ft container carries about the same weight, so rice normally ships in 20 ft containers from Karachi Port or Port Qasim.
Try both before you decide
The best way to choose is to cook both. We send samples of 1121 and Super Kernel on request, so you can compare length, aroma and taste with your own customers. Request a quote or samples, or message us on WhatsApp.
