FAQs
See below our answers to some frequently asked questions that our customers ask.
Company
Is Tilda an Indian Company?
Tilda is a British company that was founded by a Ugandan family who migrated to the UK back in the ’70s. Tracing back to its Indian roots, the Thakrar family wanted to bring authentic ingredients they loved back home to the table for families to enjoy. 50 years on, Tilda strongly remains to be a household brand amongst different communities.
What does Tilda stand for?
Tilda is the amalgamation of the names Tila and Daksha, the daughters of the founders. Learn more about Tilda’s history and the key milestones achieved over the last 50 years.
Can I have some samples or coupons?
Unfortunately we do not currently have any money off coupons or samples that we can provide upon request. We do however have regular competitions and giveaways on our social pages, so please be sure to like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TildaRice_me) and follow us on Twitter (@TildaBasmati_me).
Nutritional & Dietary
Are your products gluten free?
All of the rice that we supply, both dry and steamed is gluten free. Gluten is found in wheat or products containing wheat derivatives or rye, barley, oats, spelt and kamut.
Are your products suitable for vegans?
Most of our products are suitable for vegans, apart from the following varieties:
- Tilda Steamed Basmati Egg Fried
- Tilda Steamed Basmati Roasted Vegetable
- Tilda Steamed Basmati Sweet Chilli & Lime
- Tilda Kids Cheese & Tomato
- Tilda Pulses & Rice Chickpea, Harissa & Lemon
Products
How do I know the rice I’m buying is pure Basmati?
Basmati is a protected rice crop grown exclusively in specific areas of the Indo Gangetic Plains, which currently includes Punjab (on both sides of the Indian and Pakistani border), Jammu, Haryana, Uttaranchal, and Western Uttar Pradesh in India.
As UK’s leading premium rice brand, all our Basmati is purity tested and packed in accordance with the Basmati Code of practice, which defines the approved Basmati varieties, all with their varying characteristics. Our quality teams then meticulously check our rice at all stages to ensure we only pack the highest Basmati quality available.
What is the difference between Tilda dry and steamed rice?
Dry rice is uncooked which requires you to prepare it on a stove in a pot. This is great for recipes such as biryanis, curries and clay pot dishes when you have more time on your hands to play with.
Steamed rice is pre-cooked and can be heated as per the pouch instructions, ready to serve up in minutes. This is perfect for mid-week meals when you have a busy schedule, in need of delicious lunches and dinners.
Can I freeze leftover rice?
Yes, simply defrost it and cook as normal to eat.
Where can I buy Tilda rice?
Depending on the location you are based in, Tilda products are available in supermarkets, online and local retailers for purchase. For more information, visit our where to buy page.
If you are a business, caterer or other foodservice business looking to buy, contact our consumer care team using the details on our contact us page for all enquiries.
How do I store rice correctly?
Dry rice should be stored in a dry cool place, preferably in an airtight container inside a cupboard.
Cooked steamed rice should be stored in an airtight container inside a fridge/freezer if you've batched cooked rice.
What signs should I look out for spoiled rice?
- When dry rice grains become darker in colour
- Unpleasant smell is coming from dry rice
- Bacteria growth within cooked rice will show signs of fungi or green mould
Can I reheat dry rice?
Re-heating dry rice is safe but the rice needs to be cooled down immediately once cooked and then refrigerated until reheated. This can only be stored for one day to ensure bacterial spores do not grow and create toxins that can cause food poisoning.
I always cook too much rice, what is the right serving size?
We advise on cooking 60g of dry rice per person.
What is the difference between Brown rice and Wholegrain rice?
There is no difference - these are two different terms used for the same rice type.
Can I eat your steamed basmati straight from the pouch?
Our microwavable Tilda Steamed Basmati rice is cooked and sterilised in the pouch (the microwaving is merely a reheating process) so it is fine to eat it cold and straight from the packet.
Can I reheat your steamed basmati the next day?
Yes, however please ensure that you have stored your open packet in the refrigerator and that the rice is hot throughout the dish before consuming.
I do not have a microwave, can I heat your steamed basmati pouch another way?
Yes, simply empty your favourite flavour into a pan and stir fry for four minutes until it is heated through.
