Top 4 Sweet Pongal Recipes using Traditional Rice Varieties

at-ig

Abarna Manikandan

Dec 26 2025


        Top 4 Sweet Pongal Recipes using Traditional Rice Varieties

Pongal is a celebration of abundance, gratitude, and traditional flavors. This festive season, enhance your Pongal celebrations by using Ulamart’s healthy Traditional Rice varieties. At Ulamart, we bring you a selection of Organic Pongal Rice varieties like Mappillai samba rice, Rakthashali Rice, Bamboo Rice, Karuppu Kavuni Rice (Black Rice), Poongar Rice and more that are perfect for preparing Sweet Pongal. These rice options are nutrient-rich, aromatic, and full of health benefits, making them an ideal choice for your festive meals.

1.  Why Choose Ulamart’s Rice Varieties for Your Sweet Pongal Recipe?

2. How to Prepare Pongal Using Traditional Rice Varieties?

3.General Tip for cooking Traditional Rice Pongal

4. Celebrate Pongal with Ulamart’s Traditional Rice Varieties

5. Add Fun to Pongal with Mini Pongal Cooking

Why Choose Ulamart’s Rice Varieties for Your Sweet Pongal Recipe?

Rice is at the heart of any Pongal recipe, and the variety you choose will significantly impact both the flavor and texture of the dish. At Ulamart, we offer rice that is full of fiber, protein, and essential nutrients that promote better digestion and overall health. By using traditional rice varieties, you are also bringing back the authentic taste of Pongal, which is loved by all generations.

Our rice varieties are not only gluten-free, but they also have a low glycemic index, making them suitable for diabetics and health-conscious individuals

How to Prepare Pongal Using Traditional Rice Varieties?

Let’s take a closer look at the rice varieties you can use for your Sweet Pongal recipe and how to prepare the most divine and delicious sweet pongal recipes for the upcoming Pongal Festival.

General Tip for cooking Traditional Rice Pongal:

Before Starting, follow this general tip for all Traditional Rice variety Pongal. As all traditional rice varieties are rich in fibre and take a longer time to cook, it is preferred to wash and soak the rice for 6 to 8 hours or overnight. If there is no time to soak, as an alternate wash and soak the rice for 10 – 30 minutes, drain the water & grind it coarsely in a mixer in pulse mode without adding any water and it’s ready to cook.

1. Raw Mappillai Samba Rice Akkaravadisal Pongal:

Mappillai Samba Arisi gives sweet pongal a rich taste and natural aroma while keeping it filling and wholesome. It is traditionally valued for strength and energy, making it a perfect rice choice for festive sweet dishes. And Akkaravadisal is a traditional South Indian style sweet pongal, that is rich, smooth, and creamy with a soft texture and deep authentic flavour.

Ingredients For Akkaravadisal using Mappillai Samba Rice: 

Recipe:

Prepare the raw mappillai samba rice as mentioned in the general tip above & add it to a pressure cooker. Then add moong dal, 1 tbsp of Organic Ghee, 1 cup of water, 4 cups of milk, and cardamom pods to the cooker. Mix well, close the lid and let it cook up to 6 to 8 whistles in medium low flame. Once pressure is released, open the cooker, add country sugar powder, ghee roasted cashew, raisins along with the ghee and mix well. Add more milk for a rich and creamy texture if required. Yummy & Tasty Mappillai Samba Rice Akkaravadisal is ready to serve!

2. Bamboo Rice (Moongil Arisi) Pongal:

Moongil Rice adds a mild nutty flavour and pleasant bite to sweet pongal, making it taste unique and comforting. It is filling and satisfying, perfect to make this pongal festive more authentic.

Ingredients For Sweet Pongal using Bamboo Rice: 

  • ¾ cup Bamboo Rice
  • ¼ cup split yellow moong dal
  • ¼ cup A2 Cow Ghee
  • 1 cup country sugar
  • 5 cups water
  • ½ cup of coconut (grated or bite size pieces)
  • ½ cup of nuts & dry fruits of your choice
  • 2 cardamom pods or ½ spoon of cardamom powder

Recipe:

Prepare the Bamboo Rice as mentioned in the general tip above & add it to a pressure cooker. Then add moong dal, 1 tbsp of A2 Ghee, 5 cups of water  and cardamom pods or powder to the cooker. Mix well, close the lid and let it cook up to 6 to 8 whistles in medium low flame. Wait till the pressure is released. Roast the nuts, dry fruits & coconut in ghee separately & keep. Then open the cooker, add ghee, country sugar powder, ghee roasted coconut, nuts, dry fruits and mix well. Delicious Nutty Bamboo Rice Sweet Pongal is ready to eat!

3. Karuppu Kavuni Arisi Panakarkandu Pongal:

Karuppu Kavuni Rice is a traditional black rice known for its rich taste and natural colour. It is rich in antioxidants and fibre, making it a healthy choice for festive meals. When used for pongal, it gives a slightly chewy texture and deep flavour that makes the dish special and filling. Also, Palm candy (Panakarkandu) is a natural sweetener that provides quick energy and comparatively lower glycemic index.

Ingredients For Sweet Pongal using Black Rice: 

  • ¾ cup Raw Black Rice (Karuppu kavuni pachai arisi)
  • ¼ cup split yellow moong dal
  • 1 cup palm candy (panakarkandu)
  • 5 cups water
  • ¼ cup A2 Cow Ghee
  • ½ cup of nuts & dry fruits of your choice
  • 2 cardamom pods or ½ spoon of cardamom powder

Recipe:

Check the general tip shared above to pre-prepare the karuppu kavuni arisi. Then add it to a pressure cooker. Next add moong dal, palm candy crystals, 1 tbsp of A2 Ghee, 5 cups of water  and cardamom pods or powder to the cooker. Mix well, close the lid and let it cook up to 5 to 8 whistles in medium low flame. Let the pressure release. Meanwhile Roast the nuts & dry fruits in the cow ghee separately & keep. Open the cooker, add ghee, roasted nuts, dry fruits and mix well. Serve hot, the deliciously divine karuppu kavuni arisi pongal & enjoy!

4. Raw Rakthashali Rice Coconut Milk Pongal

Rakthashali rice is a traditional red rice known for its rich taste and nourishing nature. It is high in fibre and natural nutrients that support strength and digestion. When used for pongal, it cooks soft and gives a hearty texture with a wholesome flavour.

Ingredients For Sweet Pongal using Rakthashali Rice: 

  • ¾ cup Raw Rakthashali Rice
  • ¼ cup split yellow moong dal
  • 1 cup palm candy (panakarkandu)
  • 1.5 cups of coconut milk
  • 4 cups water
  • ¼ cup A2 Cow Ghee
  • ½ cup of nuts & dry fruits of your choice
  • 2 cardamom pods or ½ spoon of cardamom powder

Recipe:

Prepare Raw Rakthashali Rice as per the general tip shared above. Roast the nuts & dry fruits in the A2  cow ghee separately & keep aside. Now add the soaked or ground Rakthasali rice to a pressure cooker. Then, add moong dal, 4 cups of water, 1 tbsp cow ghee  and cardamom powder to it. Mix well, close the lid and let it cook up to 5 to 7 whistles in medium low flame. Let the pressure release. Open the lid, add thick coconut milk, palm candy, mix well and bring it to boil. Finally, add balance of the ghee, nuts & dry fruits and serve hot!

Celebrate Pongal with Ulamart’s Traditional Rice Varieties

Your search doesn’t stop here! You can try the same recipes with Ulamart’s other Traditional Rice varieties like Poongar Rice, Sivappu Kavuni Rice, Navara Rice, Neelam Samba Rice, Kattuyanam Rice, Thooyamalli Rice, Mani Samba Rice & Celebrate the flavors of tradition while making it healthier. Whether you’re preparing sweet Pongal or savoury Pongal, these rice varieties provide the perfect base for nutritious and flavorful dishes. Each rice variety brings its own unique texture and aroma, enhancing the overall taste of your Pongal recipe.

Add Fun to Pongal with Mini Pongal Cooking

Add a twist with your kids by involving them in the celebration using our real cooking clay miniature kitchen set. Let them help prepare pongal in small portions while you cook alongside them, and gently explain the value of traditional rice and festive cooking. This simple hands-on activity helps children experience our food culture, learn with excitement, and enjoy Pongal as a meaningful family tradition.

Visit Ulamart’s online store to explore our full range of healthy rice varieties and enjoy a flavorful, wholesome Pongal celebration.