Other Rice Varieties
Part of our Rice, Grains & Flour range. Shop idli rice, Ponni rice, parboiled rice and other specialty Indian rice varieties used in South Indian cooking and regional recipes. Explore trusted brands including Shankar, Tilda, Pandit, Saras, TRS — with reliable UK-wide delivery from Grocery Wala.
Collection Overview & Buyer Intent
Beyond basmati and sona masoori, Indian cooking uses a wide variety of specialty rice types for specific dishes — from idli rice for South Indian breakfast to Ponni rice for everyday Tamil cooking and parboiled rice for traditional preparations. This collection brings together hard-to-find Indian rice varieties for UK South Asian shoppers.
Best For – Quick Selection Guide
- Best for idli & dosa batter: Idli rice — high-starch, short-grain for fermentation (Shankar)
- Best for everyday Tamil & South Indian cooking: Ponni rice — soft and slightly sticky (Shankar)
- Best for parboiled rice dishes: Parboiled rice — firmer texture, higher nutrition (Shankar or Saras)
- Prefer fragrant long-grain rice? Basmati Rice — for biryani and pulao
- Prefer everyday South Indian rice? Sona Masoori Rice — light and easy to digest
Popular Dishes Made with Specialty Rice
- Idli — made with idli rice and Urad Dal, served with Chutneys
- Dosa — made with idli rice batter and Urad Dal
- Pongal — made with Ponni rice and Moong Dal
- Curd Rice — made with soft Ponni rice and yoghurt
- Sambar Rice — made with parboiled rice and Toor Dal
Rice Varieties Compared
| Type |
Texture |
Best For |
Brands |
| Idli Rice |
Short-grain, starchy |
Idli & dosa batter |
Shankar |
| Ponni Rice |
Medium-grain, soft |
Everyday South Indian meals |
Shankar, Saras |
| Parboiled Rice |
Firm & separate |
Traditional preparations |
Shankar, Tilda, TRS |
Daily Indian Kitchen Ecosystem
Specialty rice pairs perfectly with:
Why Buy from Grocery Wala
• Trusted rice brands: Shankar, Tilda, Pandit, Saras and TRS
• Wide range of specialty Indian rice varieties for regional cooking
• Fresh stock sourced for UK Indian and South Asian shoppers
• Reliable UK-wide delivery — order online and get it delivered to your door
Frequently Asked Questions
What is idli rice?
Idli rice is a short-grain, high-starch rice variety specifically used for making idli and dosa batter. Its high starch content aids fermentation and gives idlis their soft, fluffy texture. Shankar idli rice is available at Grocery Wala.
What is Ponni rice?
Ponni rice is a medium-grain rice variety popular in Tamil Nadu and South India. It is soft, slightly sticky and ideal for everyday South Indian meals such as pongal, curd rice and sambar rice.
What is parboiled rice?
Parboiled rice is rice that has been partially boiled in the husk before milling. This process drives nutrients into the grain, making it more nutritious than white rice, with a firmer texture when cooked.
Do you deliver specialty rice across the UK?
Yes, Grocery Wala delivers all Indian rice varieties across the UK with reliable shipping. Order online for fast UK delivery.
Soldout
Soldout
Soldout
Soldout
