Frequently Asked Questions

Kalanamak is one of the world's oldest cultivated rice varieties, grown for over 2,500 years in the Himalayan Terai belt of eastern Uttar Pradesh. It gets the name "The Buddha's Rice" because it was first cultivated in the region surrounding Lumbini, Nepal — the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. It has a distinctive dark tip, a naturally nutty-aromatic fragrance (from the compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline), and a low glycaemic index. Unlike mass-produced rice, it is unpolished and unprocessed.

GI (Geographical Indication) tagging is a government certification that verifies our rice was grown in the designated origin region — Siddharthnagar, Shravasti and surrounding districts in UP. Without a GI tag, any seller can label regular rice as Kalanamak. Our packs carry documented GI provenance. You can verify the GI registry on the ipindia.gov.in portal. We also conduct internal lab testing before every batch is dispatched.

No. Our rice is completely free from chemical treatment. We do not use: phosphine fumigation (common with imported varieties), bleaching agents, polishing chemicals, or any artificial preservatives. What you receive is the grain as it left the field — cleaned, dried, vacuum-sealed, and nothing else. This is also why the colour and shape of each grain can vary slightly — that is the sign of a genuine, unprocessed variety.

• Heritage Rice (Kalanamak, Kala Jeera, Red Rice, Sona Masoori): 12 months from packing date in sealed condition.
• Millets (Foxtail, Pearl, Finger, Barnyard): 9–12 months sealed. Millets have higher oil content so they turn rancid faster than rice if exposed to heat or moisture.

Once opened, store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Best consumed within 3 months of opening.

Rinse gently 2 times (no more — the aromatic compounds are water-soluble). Soak for 20 minutes. Cook in a 1:1.75 ratio (1 cup rice to 1.75 cups water). Bring to boil, reduce to the lowest flame, cover, and cook for 14 minutes. Rest covered for 5 minutes before opening. The fragrance that fills your kitchen during cooking is the signature of genuine Kalanamak. Do not over-wash or use a pressure cooker on high — both reduce the aroma significantly.

That is exactly what it is supposed to look like. Kalanamak and other heritage varieties are not industrially polished or sorted by size. The dark tips, slight colour variations, and size differences are the natural characteristics of a real, unprocessed grain. Commercial rice is uniformly white because it is heavily polished — which also removes most of the nutrients. Our rice looks "imperfect" because it is genuinely natural.

Yes. Every batch goes through 50+ quality checks before dispatch, including: moisture level, colour and grain integrity, aroma profile, presence of foreign matter, and periodic third-party lab testing for pesticide residues. Lab reports are available on request — WhatsApp us your Order ID or the product name and we will share the relevant report.

Kala Jeera (also called Kalijira or Black Jeera rice) is a short-grain, intensely aromatic variety grown in the mountain regions of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir. It is significantly smaller than Kalanamak and has a stronger, more earthy-smoky fragrance. It is traditionally used in biryanis and pulaos in Bengal and Odisha. While both are heritage varieties, Kala Jeera is richer in aroma whereas Kalanamak is celebrated more for its nutritional profile and low GI.

Browse our website, select your product and pack size, and add to cart. Proceed to checkout, enter your delivery address, and choose a payment method. We accept UPI, credit/debit cards, net banking, and Cash on Delivery. You will receive an order confirmation SMS and email within 5 minutes of placing the order.

Orders can be modified or cancelled within 2 hours of placement — WhatsApp us at +91 9838 678 607 with your Order ID. After 2 hours, the order enters our packing queue and may already be dispatched. If the order has already shipped, you will need to refuse delivery or raise a return request after delivery.

Check your spam / junk folder first. If the email is not there, confirm that the email address entered at checkout is correct. If the payment was debited from your account but you did not receive a confirmation, WhatsApp us at +91 9838 678 607 with your registered phone number or email — we will look up the order status immediately.

This happens occasionally with UPI or net banking. In most cases, the amount is automatically reversed to your account within 5–7 business days by your bank. If the order did not go through but the amount was deducted, the money has not reached us — it is held by the payment gateway. Share your payment reference number and registered phone with us on WhatsApp and we will help trace it.

Yes. For bulk orders above 20kg (single variety) or above ₹15,000 in value, we offer customised pricing. Contact us at sampindiatrade@gmail.com or WhatsApp +91 9838 678 607 with your requirements. We supply to restaurants, hotels, co-operatives, and direct-to-consumer brands.

Yes. A GST-compliant invoice is automatically generated and emailed to you after every order. If you need a B2B invoice with your company's GSTIN, please add your GST number in the "Company name / GST" field at checkout, or WhatsApp us with your GSTIN and Order ID within 48 hours of placing the order.

Shipping is free on all orders above ₹599 across most of India. For orders below ₹599, we charge ₹49–₹99 depending on your location. Remote areas (hilly regions, North-East, islands) may incur a small additional charge. Full details on our Shipping Policy page.

Orders placed before 2:00 PM IST (Mon–Sat) are dispatched the same business day. Orders placed after 2 PM or on Sundays and public holidays are dispatched the next business day. You will receive a tracking number via SMS and email after dispatch.

Three ways: (1) Use the Track My Order page on our website with your Order ID. (2) Use the tracking link in your dispatch SMS or email. (3) WhatsApp us at +91 9838 678 607 with your Order ID and we will update you directly.

Yes — we ship to 29,000+ pin codes across all 28 states and 8 union territories. Delivery to Jammu & Kashmir, North-Eastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya), Sikkim, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands may take 7–12 days and is subject to courier availability at your pin code.

First check with neighbours, building security, or anyone who may have accepted the parcel. If the package is genuinely not found, contact us on WhatsApp within 48 hours of the delivery status update with your Order ID. We will raise a dispute with the courier and arrange a reship or refund within 7 business days once investigated.

We accept returns within 7 days of delivery for: damaged products, wrong items delivered, unsealed packaging, or significant quality issues. Change-of-mind returns are accepted if the product is unopened. Once opened and partially consumed, we cannot accept returns unless the quality is genuinely defective. Full details on our Return Policy page.

WhatsApp us at +91 9838 678 607 with your Order ID and a photo of the issue. That is all we need. No lengthy forms. Our team responds within 2 hours on weekdays and approves eligible returns within 1 business day.

Photograph the outer packaging and the product immediately. Contact us within 48 hours via WhatsApp (+91 9838 678 607) with the photos and your Order ID. We will arrange a free pickup and send a replacement within 48 hours of confirmation, or process a full refund — your choice.

No — if the return is due to our error (damaged product, wrong item, unsealed packaging), we arrange pickup at our cost. For change-of-mind returns (unopened products), we may ask you to self-ship to our Delhi address. Return shipping costs in that case are borne by the customer.

Yes. Kalanamak has a scientifically validated Glycaemic Index of approximately 55 (low), compared to regular polished white rice at 70–72 (high). This means it causes a slower, steadier rise in blood sugar rather than a sharp spike. Multiple endocrinologists and diabetologists across India recommend Kalanamak as a rice substitute for Type 2 diabetics. However, all dietary changes for diabetics should be discussed with your doctor — individual responses can vary.

Anthocyanins are a class of flavonoid antioxidants responsible for the blue, purple, and reddish pigments in plants — found in blueberries, black grapes, and red cabbage. Kalanamak's distinctive dark grain tip contains anthocyanins, which have been linked to anti-inflammatory properties, improved cardiovascular health, and protection against oxidative stress. This makes Kalanamak nutritionally superior to polished white rice, which has had its outer layers (and antioxidants) removed.

It depends on the variety and your dietary needs. Millets generally have higher protein, fibre, and mineral content than polished white rice. Finger millet (Ragi) is exceptionally high in calcium. Foxtail millet has a low GI and is high in iron. However, heritage rice varieties like Kalanamak are much closer to millets nutritionally than polished white rice. The best answer for most people is variety — rotating between heritage rice and millets gives you the broadest nutritional range.

Yes. All millets are naturally 100% gluten-free — Foxtail, Pearl (Bajra), Finger (Ragi), Barnyard, and all other millet varieties. They are safe for people with Coeliac disease or gluten intolerance. Our millets are processed in a dedicated facility with no cross-contamination from gluten-containing grains. If you have a severe Coeliac condition, please WhatsApp us and we will confirm current processing conditions.

Yes. Kalanamak is unprocessed and chemical-free — it is safer for children than commercially polished white rice. The slightly higher fibre content means it may be harder to digest for infants under 12 months. For toddlers (12–36 months), cook it slightly softer (more water, longer cooking time). For school-age children and above, it can be served exactly as for adults. Many of our customers specifically buy it for their children's health.

Yes — all our products (rice and millets) are 100% plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian. No animal-derived ingredients are used in growing, processing, or packaging. Our products are also free from dairy, eggs, honey, and any animal by-products.