What is Puffed Rice?
- Rajan Magar
- Jun 18
- 5 min read
Puffed rice or murmura, kurmura, or mamra in India is a crunchy, light, airy rice item prepared through the process of high-pressure heating of rice kernels. It is a popular snack as well as an ingredient in India and other countries in the subcontinent.
This seemingly innocuous puff contains a rich cultural and gastronomic history. From street-corner bhel puri in Mumbai to temple offerings in South India, puffed rice abounds gentle on the stomach, heavy with tradition, and inexpensive.
But just how is puffed rice produced? Is it good for you? Which type of rice is used to produce it? And how does it stand in the big scheme of the Indian rice business, particularly when top rice exporters in India provide quality varieties such as Sella Basmati Rice, Tibar Rice, and Sortex Rice?
The Basics: What is Puffed Rice?
Puffed rice is produced by heating rice kernels (typically parboiled or dried) at high temperatures, so the water in the grains turns to steam, opening up the rice kernel into a light, airy form. It is popcorn-like but prepared with rice.
It is typically prepared using white rice or parboiled rice, and in some cases even using broken or minute grains such as Tibar Rice utilizing every portion of the crop.
It has a very light texture and contains hardly any fat. It's commonly applied in snacks, breakfast foods, or consumed directly with a sprinkle of spices or sugar.
How is Puffed Rice Produced?
Two main techniques employed in India for the manufacture of puffed rice are:
1. Sand Roasting Method:
This is the old-fashioned practice followed in rural regions. Parboiled or steamed rice grains are dried and roasted in hot sand. When exposed to heat, the moisture trapped in the grain expands fast, causing the rice to puff.
2. Modern Machine Popping:
Industrially, puffed rice is produced on machines whereby rice grains are subjected to high-pressure steam and suddenly released, puffing the grains immediately. It is more hygienic and uniform, preferred by major rice exporters in India who undertake bulk production for foreign markets.
The raw material for both processes is usually Steam Rice, which has a semi-cooked texture with good moisture-retention properties, thus making puffing more effective.
Health Benefits of Puffed Rice
In spite of being light and appearing plain, puffed rice is associated with some health benefits, particularly when eaten in moderate portions as part of an overall balanced diet:
✅ Low in Calories:
Puffed rice is low in fat and calories and thus a perfect snack for those concerned about their weight.
✅ Easy to Digest:
Due to its light texture, puffed rice is easy on the digestive system. It's commonly added to diets when one is sick or recovering.
✅ Energy Boost:
Its rich carbohydrate content provides a slow release of energy, making it a good source of energy in the morning or during lunch.
✅ Gluten-Free:
Being gluten-free naturally, puffed rice is suitable for individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
✅ Suitable for Gut Health (When Paired with Fermented Foods):
In most of India, puffed rice is overnight-soaked using fermented rice water, resulting in a probiotic-rich food that aids digestion and the gut.
Common Applications of Puffed Rice in Indian Cooking
Puffed rice is extremely versatile and is incorporated into most Indian dishes:
Bhel Puri: A popular Mumbai street food comprising puffed rice, vegetables, chutneys, and spices.
Masala Murmura: Spicy snack containing puffed rice, peanuts, curry leaves, and red chilli.
Chivda: Savoury blend of roasted puffed rice, nuts, and spices.
Puffed Rice Laddoo: Sweet laddoos prepared with jaggery and puffed rice.
Breakfast Cereal: Mixed with milk, sugar, and fruits to make for a quick breakfast.
Plainly consumed too, it's soaked in milk or buttermilk — a rural favourite that's as nostalgic as it is refreshing.
What kind of Rice is Used for Making Puffed Rice?
Not all types of rice are suitable for puffing. Parboiled rice or Steam Rice is usually preferred because of the moisture-holding capacity it has.
Some particular varieties that are used include:
It is a broken basmati rice variety with a smaller grain size but high aroma and taste content. It is economical and frequently used for making puffed rice because of its fast cooking and puffing capacity.
Sortex is not a variety but a grading term in which rice is machine-cleaned through a "sortex" machine to make sure the grains are free of impurities. Clean, uniform grains are important for puffed rice making, and hence Sortex Rice is most favored by manufacturers.
Although these are long-grain rice, they are used more in exports and cooking than puffed. But the broken grains of these rice varieties might still be reused for puffed rice.
Large rice exporters in India grade and process various rice varieties with great care so that even the small or broken grains are utilized effectively in snacks, flours, or puffed rice.
Role of Rice Exporters in India in Promoting Rice Varieties
India is the world's largest exporter of rice, and Indian rice exporters have an important role in making not only basmati rice popular, but also items such as puffed rice, rice flakes, and rice starch worldwide.
By making investments in advanced technology, sortex grading, and hygienic puffing processes, these exporters provide uniform quality that is acceptable in accordance with international food safety standards. Whether exporting Sella Basmati Rice to the Middle East or supplying Tibar Rice to snack food companies, Indian exporters ensure that not a single grain goes wasted.
Related Rice-Based Products Worth Knowing
As puffed rice gains popularity around the world for its health advantages and versatility, so do other rice derivatives:
As a thickening and binding agent, rice starch is found in baby foods, soups, sauces, and cosmetics and is derived from milled rice. It's gluten-free and hypoallergenic by nature.
This rice-boiling or soaking byproduct is full of vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. It's also applied to hair and skin care, but eaten with puffed rice for digestive health in traditional diets.
These items show how deeply rice has become entrenched in the Indian culture — not only meals.
Conclusion: Puffed Rice is More Than a Snack
In summary, puffed rice is a simple yet adaptable food with rich Indian heritage. It is light, wholesome, and convenient to cook, and remains a popular snack among people of all ages.
Due to India's rice diversity — such as Steam Rice, Tibar Rice, Dubar Basmati Rice, and hygienically cleaned Sortex Rice — there is plenty of raw material available with manufacturers to make quality puffed rice.
And with top rice exporters in India making each rice product available globally, the world is gradually becoming aware of the romance of puffed rice — be it in a bowl of cereal or as a crunchy street snack.
Comments