Calasparra rice ( es, arroz de Calasparra) is a variety of
rice
Rice is the seed of the grass species '' Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima'' (African rice). The name wild rice is usually used for species of the genera '' Zizania'' and '' Porteresia'', both wild and domesticat ...
native to the
region
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics ( physical geography), human impact characteristics ( human geography), and the interaction of humanity an ...
of
Murcia
Murcia (, , ) is a city in south-eastern Spain, the capital and most populous city of the autonomous community of the Region of Murcia, and the seventh largest city in the country. It has a population of 460,349 inhabitants in 2021 (about one ...
,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
.
Along with rice produced in
Valencia
Valencia ( va, València) is the capital of the autonomous community of Valencia and the third-most populated municipality in Spain, with 791,413 inhabitants. It is also the capital of the province of the same name. The wider urban area al ...
and the
Ebro Delta
The Ebro Delta ( ca, Delta de l'Ebre, ; es, Delta del Ebro, ) is the delta region of the Ebro River ( ca, Ebre, links=no, es, Ebro, links=no) in the southwest of the Province of Tarragona in the region of Catalonia in Spain. It is located o ...
, it is one of three Spanish rices with a
Denominación de Origen,
since 1986. It is named for the municipality of
Calasparra
Calasparra () is a municipality in the autonomous community of Murcia, Spain. It shares borders with Cieza, Mula, Cehegín, Moratalla and province of Albacete.
History
There were people living in Calasparra during the Bronze and Iron Ages.
T ...
.
Rice cultivation is documented in Murcia dating back to the 14th century, and is thought to have been introduced to the area by
Muslim occupiers. The use of
terrace irrigation and well-drained soil make the region ideal for rice cultivation. Calasparra rice is matured longer than other strains of rice, and is exceptionally absorbent, making it well-suited for the preparation of
paella
Paella (, , , , , ) is a rice dish originally from Valencia. While non-Spaniards commonly view it as Spain's national dish, Spaniards almost unanimously consider it to be a dish from the Valencian region. Valencians, in turn, regard ''paella'' ...
.
See also
*
Bomba rice
Bomba rice ( es, arroz bomba; va, arròs bomba) is a short-grain variety of rice (''Oryza sativa'' L.), primarily cultivated in the eastern parts of Spain. It is commonly used in paella and other dishes in Valencian cuisine, and is often ref ...
— also known as Valencia rice
References
External links
Regulatory Council of the Calasparra Rice DO ''(Spanish)''
Rice varieties
Spanish cuisine
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