Learn more about Italian rice and choose the best Italian rice varieties for your recipes! Rice is undoubtedly one of the most popular cereals in the world. But is rice all the same? No, definitely not. From a biological point of view, we have got two rice cultivars: the "indica" rice variety with long and needle-like grains and the "japonica" with more rounded grains. Most of the European rice varieties, and even more specifically, of the Italian rice varieties belong to this last rice cultivar. In fact, Italy is the largest rice producer in Europe. Italian rice, monitored every year in all its varieties by the Italian National Rice Authority, is divided by law into different categories: Round, Medium, Long A from risotto/parboiled and Long B (they replace the old Common/Originary, Fino, Semifino and Superfino classifications). Each Italian rice variety lends itself to different recipes and preparation, so it is impossible to define which is the best rice. Each rice variety will be the best rice for what we have to do. So it is very important to know how to choose the perfect rice, because we currently have more than 160 different Italian rice varieties! From a nutritional point of view Long and needle-shaped types of rice have lower amounts of amylose and therefore a lower carbohydrate intake. All Italian rice varieties can then be eaten whole, semi-finished or processed: in the case of the wholegrain rice, the content of fibres and mineral salts is much more consistent. The Italian rice varieties Among the best known Italian rice varieties, Carnaroli is today considered the "prince of risottos". In fact like other rice varieties included in the Long A risotto category, it has got a large grain, with little stickiness and excellent cooking resistance. This aspect
Learn more about Italian rice and choose the best Italian rice varieties for your recipes! Rice is undoubtedly one of the most popular cereals