World’s most expensive rice: What makes Kinmemai Premium so rare and luxurious | World News

The World’s Most Expensive Rice: Rice is a staple of cuisines in India, with thousands of varieties grown in the country. The average price of Indian rice varies between Rs 100 to Rs 300 per kilogram, depending on the type. But Japan’s Kinmemai Premium rice is in a completely different league. Not only did it win the Guinness World Record as the most expensive rice of 2016, it is also celebrated for its unique growing method and exceptional taste.

A box containing 840 grams of Kinmemai Premium costs around ¥10,800, or roughly Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000. When it was first introduced, it sold for around 9,500 yen per kilogram, and today it can be found in some markets for between RS 12,500 and 15,000 per kilogram.

The secret behind its high cost lies in the way it is grown and processed. The rice is a blend of five premium varieties, including the award-winning Koshihikari and Pikamaru. Seeds are carefully selected from the best regions of Japan such as Gunma, Nagano and Niigata. Rice is not sold immediately after harvest. Instead, it is aged for six months, which the company claims enhances its flavor and texture.

After aging, a patented “polishing” technology removes the outer layer of the rice while preserving its nutritional values. This labor-intensive process contributes to its luxury status.

Kinmemai Premium rice shines like tiny precious stones when cooked. Its taste is sweeter and more nutritious than regular rice, and its texture is rich and creamy, almost buttery, and melts in your mouth with every bite. People who have tasted it describe it as indulgent and extremely smooth.

The company produces only 1,000 boxes of Kinmemai Premium per year. Each box contains six small packets of 140 grams each. In Japan, it is often given as a luxury gift and prized for its taste as well as its rarity.