Ponni Rice is a variety of rice cultivated in Southern India. The term "Ponni" translates to "Gold" in Tamil and also refers to the River Kaveri. This rice variety undergoes a steaming process before milling and is partially boiled in the husk, imparting nutritional similarities to brown rice. With its unique processing method, Ponni Rice retains some of the outer bran layers, contributing to its nutritional profile and making it a popular and wholesome choice in Southern Indian cuisine.