For Easter lunch, choose a box of cooking bags if you want to adjust the amount of rice without weighing it, or express rice if you need to heat it just before serving. A standard packet gives you more freedom to measure out the amount you want or choose a particular type of rice, but you’ll need to plan how to cook it. In all cases, check the number of portions shown rather than automatically counting one bag per guest.
If you’re making rice for a few guests, you can adjust how many bags you cook. The boxes listed by Auchan and Carrefour contain four 125 g bags. Also check the number of portions shown for the product you choose.
If you have a frying pan or microwave to hand at the last minute, express rice can save you from having to cook dry rice. For its plain express basmati rice, Taureau Ailé recommends 2 minutes in the microwave at 800 W or 3 minutes in a frying pan.
When a recipe calls for a particular type of rice, choosing the grain matters more than the packaging. The National Institute of Origin and Quality lists Riz de Camargue in white, wholegrain, semi-wholegrain and parboiled varieties.
First decide how the rice will be prepared when you serve it, then check how much you need and which type of grain your menu calls for.
Choose this if: you want to cook a set number of bags without weighing the dry rice.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a pan of boiling water and a colander. Carrefour lists a 5-minute cooking time for its Classic’ long-grain rice, compared with 10 minutes for the Ben’s Original long-grain rice featured by Auchan.
Choose this if: you want to heat the rice just before serving, using the equipment specified on the product.
Bear in mind: express rice in a doypack is not a bag of dry rice to cook. For its plain basmati rice, Taureau Ailé says to refrigerate the product after opening and consume it quickly.
Choose this if: you want to measure out the amount freely or pick a grain suited to a particular recipe.
Bear in mind: the rice isn’t portioned into bags, so follow the quantity and cooking instructions for the packet you choose.
| Criteria | What to check | Who might prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Portioning | Number and weight of the bags; number of portions shown on the box. | For a small gathering, I want to adjust how much rice I cook without weighing it or making unnecessary leftovers. Around 37% of consumers would put portioning at the top of their list. |
| Quick to serve | Preparation method and time shown; equipment available at the time. | If the main course is nearly ready, I want to serve the rice without keeping everyone waiting. Almost 27% of consumers would prioritise speed above all else. |
| Quantity for your guests | Total packet weight and stated number of portions, considered alongside the menu. | When I’m hosting lots of guests, I want to make sure there’s enough rice to go round without assuming that one bag serves one person. Around 18% of consumers would make quantity their priority. |
| Type of rice | Variety and type of grain required by the recipe. | If the rice is part of a particular recipe, I want to choose the grain before its packaging. Almost 18% of consumers would put this choice first. |
Auchan lists its box of four 125 g bags of Ben’s Original long-grain rice as containing eight portions. So the number of bags won’t necessarily match the number of guests.
Check the number of portions stated on the packet you choose, then adjust the amount to suit the other dishes and your guests’ appetites.
According to the manufacturer, Taureau Ailé plain express basmati rice can be reheated in an 800 W microwave or in a frying pan. Dry rice bags, on the other hand, need a pan of boiling water and draining.
Before you shop, check which appliance or utensil will be available just before serving, and read the instructions for the product you choose.
For its plain express basmati rice, Taureau Ailé says to refrigerate the product after opening and consume it quickly.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and plan when to open it according to how much you need to serve.
Auchan lists Ben’s Original long-grain rice in a box of four 125 g cooking bags, designed to be cooked in water.
Carrefour lists both Classic’ long-grain rice and Extra basmati rice, each in a box of four 125 g bags.
The plain express basmati rice described by Taureau Ailé comes in a doypack to be reheated, not a box of cooking bags.
These products offer two ways to avoid cooking a packet of dry rice: portion out a batch of rice that’s already cooked, or choose seasoned rice that’s ready to heat. Check the quantity and preparation instructions to make sure they suit your menu.
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If you want to portion out cooked rice across several servings, this pack contains three units. Check the weight of each unit and the reheating instructions on the packaging before working out how much you’ll need.
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This rice is ready to heat and suits a menu that calls for tomato and olive oil flavours, rather than a plain rice side. The packet states 220 g. Check the preparation instructions and work out how much you’ll need for your guests.
Not necessarily: Auchan lists its box of four bags of Ben’s Original long-grain rice as containing eight portions. Check the number of portions for the product you buy and adjust it to suit the other dishes at lunch.
Express rice that’s ready to heat could be a good choice if you have the right equipment. For its plain basmati rice, Taureau Ailé recommends 2 minutes in an 800 W microwave or 3 minutes in a frying pan. For any other product, follow its own instructions.
Choose the type of rice your recipe calls for first, then decide on the packaging. The National Institute of Origin and Quality lists Riz de Camargue in white, wholegrain, semi-wholegrain and parboiled varieties. Then check the preparation instructions on the packet you choose.
For its plain express basmati rice, Taureau Ailé says to refrigerate it after opening and consume it quickly. Follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve bought.