Organic Jira Kolam Rice (1kg)

A single kilo pack of jira kolam rice, the slim short grain that most Pune kitchens cook on an ordinary weekday. One kilo is the sensible amount to try a new rice before committing to a five kilo bag, and roughly what two people finish in a fortnight.

This is the same paddy our farmer members raise at Kasarpimpalgaon, on vermicompost, milled in small quantities. No wholesale market sits between that field and this packet, so last season's stock cannot quietly find its way in.

What to expect when you cook it

Rinse it twice, then two whistles in the cooker with double the water. The grains come out slim, loose and slightly firm rather than pasty. That texture is why it works for dal bhaat on a plain night, for fodnicha bhaat made from yesterday's leftovers, and for curd rice finished with a curry leaf tempering. Masale bhaat also holds its shape with this grain instead of going sticky.

Pack and storage

This listing is the 1kg pack. Tip it into a steel dabba the day it arrives and drop in two bay leaves during the rains. Rice does not spoil in a hurry, but it takes on the smell of whatever sits beside it.

Feeding a bigger family, the larger jeera kolam packs cost less per kilo. Every variety is listed under rice, and a spoon of ghee over the hot pot is the traditional finish.

Frequently asked questions

Is jira kolam the same as jeera kolam rice

Yes, only the spelling shifts from label to label. Both refer to the same fine grained kolam named for its likeness to a cumin seed.

How many people does one kilo of rice feed

Roughly ten to twelve servings of plain rice, so a family of four gets about three dinners from it.

Can I make pulao with this rice

You can. Soak it ten minutes, use a little less water than usual, and leave the cooked pot covered for five minutes so the grains firm up before you fluff them.