Basmati rice was first discovered in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. It is produced in India, Pakistan, and in southwestern United states. The most aromatic are from India and Pakistan. In Hindu, 'basmati' means fragrant and refers to the nutty taste and smell of the grain. Basmati rice, which is a variety of long grained rice, has been cultivated for thousands of years in Pakistan and India. For the calorie conscious, Basmati rice, cooked, has 170 calories per cup, and long grained rice has 205 calories per cup. Basmati rice may be had as white, or brown, The brown variety is the more nutritious. Rice is good for making main dishes, soups, salads, and deserts such as rice pudding. It stores well in sealed containers.