LTFA – A Successful Company Started With Just A Grain Of Rice

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“In 1950, my father, Shri Raghunath Arora, created LT Foods with little more than a grain of rice and the idea of providing a high-quality product to his customers without sacrificing a fair price of goods to farmers,” says his son, Vijay Kumar Arora, Chairman and Managing Director of LT Foods Ltd. India, the parent company.


“As a small boy, I remember my father speaking passionately about the ethics and practices that he valued most. ‘The rules are simple,’ he says. ‘Start with an excellent product. Never forget that your employees are the key to your success,” says V.K. Arora. “And sell only what you would be proud to feed to your family every day.” It was this simple philosophy that transformed LT Foods humble local rice mill business into a global foods company with a presence in more than 60 countries worldwide.

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LT Foods, Ltd. India has a U.S. subsidiary called LT Foods Americas (LTFA) which is based in Cypress, CA. LTFA is a private, family business, run by V.K. Arora’s son Abhinav Arora, President.

LTFA’s flagship brand is ROYAL®. ROYAL, which is the company’s premium brand of Basmati rice, is described as exceptionally fragrant, long-grain rice that is grown under the careful attention of India’s most expert farmers. “After harvesting, it is aged for a minimum of twelve months in temperature-controlled silos. As with fine wine or cheese, this aging process brings out the full flavor of the grain, and also results in a non-sticky texture” describes Jenny Ramirez, Sr. Marketing Manager. True authentic basmati rice can only come from the Punjab region located at the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains in India and Pakistan. ROYAL is the #1 Basmati Rice in America. It is a favorite premium basmati brand that is popularly used in Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern cuisine. “Overall, we believe every white tablecloth restaurant in the US should carry Royal Basmati rice. Currently, Royal is available for Foodservice, as well as, in Retail, Clubs and your local Ethnic stores” says Tom Van De Casteele, Vice President Sales. The rice comes in 20- or 40-pound bags.

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The three generations that have created LT Foods worldwide are proud to bring you more than traditional basmati rice.

“ROYAL® Chef’s Secret Basmati Rice which is the world’s longest basmati rice grain, expands up to 2 1/2 times its raw length (up to 23 mm) when cooked. With its brilliant white luster, fragrant aroma and distinctive buttery flavor, Royal® Chef’s Secret Basmati Rice is a culinary showstopper. For curries, pilafs, stir-fries or as a side, it is always delicious and dazzling. Professional chefs love to cook with this rice, and always value its taste, texture, and appetizing appearance on the plate.”

The company also produces Royal® Chef’s Secret Sela Basmati Rice, which cooks in just a few minutes. “In addition to being the world’s longest basmati rice, this grain has all the hearty flavor and fluffy texture of basmati, but with much less cooking time. Just add water, chicken broth or your favorite cooking liquid, simmer briefly and dinner is served! It can be kept warm for extended periods or even reheated in a microwave without compromising its flavor, consistency or distinctive color.”

ROYAL Sona Masoori Rice is produced in the “Rice Bowl of India,” the state of Andrah Pradesh, and it is one of South India’s most-prized types of rice. This is a short-grained rice. A limited-export item, it is highly aromatic, light in texture and very versatile. Wonderfully suited for biriyanis, fried rice, pongal or as a compliment to stews, it is equally delicious in dessert dishes like sweet rice puddings.”
ROYAL Jasmine Rice (Thai Hom Mali), grown for centuries in the mountain highlands of Thailand, was named after the sweet-smelling jasmine flower of Southeast Asia. “Our Royal® Jasmine Rice bears the prestigious seal of ‘Thai Hom Mali,’ which means it is unparalleled in excellence. “The shining star of so many Asian dishes, this prime-quality grain is soft, white, fluffy, with a ‘melt in your mouth’ flavor, and a legendary fragrance.”

LT Foods Americas is more than a rice company. Its product portfolio also includes a best-selling grape seed oil. They offer Grapeola® Grape Seed Oil. “Grapeola® originates in Spain, a country known for its vibrant cuisine and robust wines. Pressed from the finest Spanish Vitis vinifera wine grape seeds, this oil is remarkable both for its flavor and many uses. With a distinctively clean, light taste, Grapeola is ideal for dressings, baking or sautéing without ever overwhelming even delicate foods like chicken or fish. And unlike corn, sesame or olive oils, Grapeola can safely handle temperatures up to 420°F so it can be used for pan frying and deep frying without ever smoking, burning or splattering.”

LTFA merchandises its brands to foodservice through referrals, trade shows, brokers, web site, and customer interaction. ROYAL Basmati Rice is its best-selling rice product, followed by ROYAL Jasmine Rice, Royal Chef’s Secret Sela, Royal Chef’s Secret and Royal Sona Masoori Rice, according to Van De Casteele.

Over time, the company has gained 100% distribution at Restaurant Depot, and its basmati rice is well-known within South Asian communities, he says.

“As we look towards the future, we will retain a global presence with many exciting, sustainable initiatives that will expand our food portfolio and diversify our product offerings,” says Chairman V.K. Arora. “We will continue to deliver unsurpassed value to our customers. And I am deeply committed to ensuring that every step we take forward will be in accordance with the long-standing values that have seeded our company – to which we will continue to remain true.”

But one thing is for sure: Customers love ROYAL rice. “I have been using ROYAL Basmati rice in my kitchens for many years,” says Dave Ur, director of Food Services & Kitchen Supervisors Shayla Blackwell & Christine White. “This was before the boom – where you could only find it in just a handful of places. Now, it’s everywhere, and rightfully so. It is easily the best, and most delicious rice out there on the market. You can use it in so many different dishes from Mexican to Asian to Greek to Hungarian to Americana. ROYAL Basmati products have consistently raised the bar of excellence in a society and culture that not only demands great products but expects brands like ROYAL, which already does this so well, to stay the course with trends in a dietary world of gluten-free and vegetarians/vegans where their products appeal to so many dietary needs.”

“As LT Foods celebrates three generations of being a family-run operation, the success of ROYAL touches me on an emotional level because my father’s dream of being a global ‘rice expert’ has now become a reality,” says V.K. Arora.

For more information, go to www.authenticroyal.com or call 1-800-550-7423.

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