The small white grain is produced in every South Asian country, with distinct varieties and specific qualities. (Image: Canva)
While most varieties of rice are affordable and accessible, the one that has luxury tag attached to it is Japanese Kinmemai Premium. (Image: Canva)
The rice is produced using the country’s most cherished grains and Tokyo’s Rice Corporation’s cutting-edge rice buffing technology. Reportedly, it is flavoured-aged for nearly six months and has become the world’s most expensive rice. (Image: Canva)
In 2016, it was registered in the Guinness World Records as the most expensive rice. An excerpt from the official website read, “It is the world’s first hand-selected, artisanal rice from Japan.” (Image: Canva)
Primarily cultivated in Japan’s Koshihikari region, these rice grains are notably larger than regular varieties. Nestled among mountains and hills, the region enjoys an ideal temperature range for rice cultivation. Adding to its uniqueness is the mineral-rich water from Mount Echigo-Komagatake’s natural spring, which nourishes the fields and enhances the rice’s exceptional quality and flavour. (Image: Canva)
The grain contains nearly six times more lipopolysaccharides (LPS) than regular rice — a natural compound known to strengthen the immune system, support overall health, and help the body defend itself against illnesses. (Image: Canva)
Reportedly, every grain of Japanese Kinmemai Premium is hand-picked for its superior vital energy and blending compatibility. The grains used to produce this rice variety are Pikamaru and Koshihikari, some of the best ones in the world. (Image: Canva)
Producers of Japan’s Kinmemai Premium rice purchase the finest grains at nearly eight times their usual cost. These are then aged through a special process that enhances their vitality, texture, and flavour. The rice undergoes advanced “buffing,” a superior polishing method that removes the indigestible wax layer while preserving its nutty aroma and rich nutritional value. (Image: Canva)
Keiji Saika, the 91-year-old president of Toyo Rice Corporation, is the man behind Japanese Kinmemai Premium. He introduced Kinmemai Premium in 2016 and started selling an 840-gram box for 9,496 Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 5,490). This was when the regular varieties were priced between 300 and 400 Yen (Rs 173 and Rs 231) per kilogram. (Image: Canva)
At present, the price of Kinmemai Premium, as per the official website, is SGD $155 (140 grams x 6 sachets), which is roughly Rs 10,548 for 840 grams. A kilogram of this would cost you around Rs 12,557.
