So of course we have nothing against this famous rice varieties, but having married for some time now the "made in Italy", or even better the "cultivated in Italy", for some years we have replaced Basmati rice (that previously sold by us was originally India- Punjab) with another great variety of fragrant rice grown in Italy: the Apollo rice, belonging to the same family of black rice Venere and Ermes red rice.
The Apollo rice has characteristics very similar to Basmati rice, has a grain elongated and thin, crystalline, cooks in 10-12 minutes and has an aroma that resembles the popcorn popped, just like Basmati.
If we compare it with the best quality of Indian basmati (we said that there are more than 50), the Apollo lose some flavor after cooking, but if we make this comparison, we can safely say that his flavor and aroma intensity, are on average with most of Basmati rice (Indian and Pakistani) sold in Italy.
In addition, we are talking about a 100% Italian, grown in Italy under the Italian and European regulations, which we know are much more restrictive and demanding food safety, compared with the countries of origin of Basmati rice.
So we're not saying that the Apollo rice is Basmati rice, because it is not so. But that, after all, if you're willing to give up to the maximum aroma (assuming you have always bought the best quality of Basmati), but eating an Italian product, safe, km zero or nearly zero, well, then certainly when you take some exotic dish, perhaps with the curry, will cook the Apollo rice, fragrant and Italian.
If you've read this far, then you can not not buy a pack of
Apollo rice.