Arborio

Arborio is an Italian rice variety that's mostly used for risottos and rice puddings. The short, rounded grains are firm and have a high content of starch, resulting in creamy textures of dishes that the rice is used in. Because of its characteristics, Arborio is almost double the price of regular long-grain rice.

This rice variety was named after the eponymous town in the Po Valley. It should be cooked al dente, while still slightly firm to the bite, and never washed or rinsed as it will lose the starchy coating that creates the creamy and slightly chewy texture once cooked.

Apart from risottos and rice puddings, Arborio is sometimes used as an ingredient in arancini or minestrone soup.