Many a times people have asked what the meaning of basmati rice is. Basmati rice has been reported in India since the early days of the 19th Century though it may have been named differently. "Bas" in Hindi language means "aroma" and "Mati" mean "full off hence the word Basmati i.e. full of aroma. This rice is different from other rice mainly due to the aroma and elongation post cooking. No other rice has this combined characteristic. The post cooking elongation of more than twice its original length, the aroma and its sweet taste has made basmat rice a delicacy. Basmati rice is grown only in Northern India. and in parts of Pakistan touching India. One can easily call it the Champagne of India. Basmati Rice is nature's exclusive gift to the Indian sub-continent. No other rice in the world has this combined characteristic of exquisite aroma, sweet taste and the post cooking elongaton. Basmati rice has been known to the world since the early days of the 19th Century though the British and the Portuguese and for a millennium and more its known to the Gulf, the Mediterranean and up to Greece. By virtue of its geographical position, water and soil quality plus special weather conditions, this rice is different from other rice varieties. It is grown only in Northern India.