Country: Italy

Natural Acquerrello vacuum-packed organice rice aged one year.

- 500 gr. ($7.50)
- 1 kg ($12.75)

Since 1992, Colombara Farm has been cultivated using natural organic farming methods to E.C. regulation standrds. The rice is grown and conserved without using chemical products. The farm is situated within an area declared a wildlife protection zone by the regional authority. Actually, 21 different species of birds nested in the area, demonstrating the real abundance of fauna and the effectiveness of the protection plan.

Acquarello Carnaroli rice is grown using a crop rotation system and is the only rice variety sown on the farm, to avoid the possibility of inadvertent hibridisation with over varietied. The mature rice is dehusked and polished using a traditional stone-milling method which maintains the shape of the grains and, at the same time, improves their organic and nutritives qualities.

Before ACQUERELLO Canaroli rice is milled - while transforms it into "withe rice" - it is aged in steel silos, with the temperature carefully controlled to inhibit the grouth of parasites.

Using this technique it is possible to age the freshly harvested grains to achieve benefits which have been noted since ancent times. During aging, the rice gently breathes and assumes a superior uniformity and quality.

The aging renders the starch, proteins and vitamins in the grains less soluble in water. The aged rice become slightly darker in colour, more solid and has greater consistency. This means that, although cooking time is longer the yeald is increased; the rice grains become heavier and larger by absorbing a great quantity of the cooking liquor. Another "plus" is that, when cooked, the Canarolu grains remain firmer and drier and don't stick togheter.