Here’s our carefully curated selection of the ten best Arborio rice brands this 2021. We created this list because we believe that rice is an important food staple in many countries around the world. Plus, it’s excellent with any meat, poultry, seafood, or even vegetable dishes. There are also times when rice tastes delicious on its own is one of the survival foods with long shelf life, and this is where Arborio rice shines the most.
One of our main goals for roundup of the top ten Arborio rice brands this year is to stay as unbiased as possible. We didn’t want to limit our decisions to just a few brands. That’s why we ended up choosing various brands of rice through the help of a diverse group of testers. They tried out these Arborio rice brands to provide us with the useful information we have presented here today.
In addition to carefully selecting the best brands of Arborio rice, we also thoughtfully chose our team of testers. The group includes the following: home cooks, professional chefs, ordinary folk, friends, family members, colleagues, and just about anyone who enjoys eating and cooking rice dishes. Our goal was to include a wide range of kitchen skills and experience to ensure we gathered accurate data for our top ten selection.
Meanwhile, the factors that we decided to focus on as we tested out these Arborio rice brands were overall value for money, taste, cooking time, and preparation. This allowed us to narrow down our initial shortlist to these ten contenders:
Arborio Rice Comparison & Rating
| Image | Arborio Rice | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | #1 - Lundberg Family Farms Arborio Rice | 99% |
 | #2 - Zerto Arborio Rice | 96% |
 | #3 - Gli Aironi Arborio Italian Rice | 95% |
 | #4 - Riso Scotti Arborio Risotto Rice | 92% |
 | #5 - Royal Superfino Arborio Rice | 90% |
 | #6 - RiceSelect Arborio Rice | 91% |
 | #7 - Molinella Italian Arborio Rice | 89% |
 | #8 - Riso Bello Arborio Risotto Rice | 86% |
 | #9 - Fondo Di Toscana Arborio Rice | 84% |
 | #10 - Principato Arborio Rice | 80% |
We picked these ten rice brands out of a preliminary list of twenty, and this involved plenty of rigorous research and unbiased testing methods. Our objective was to compile all the relevant information necessary for you to select the ideal brand or Arborio rice to accompany you on your next meal adventure. See below for our test results and comprehensive research data:
#1 – Lundberg Family Farms Arborio Rice
This brand is entirely free from gluten, doesn’t contain GMOs, and is vegan and kosher. These features make Lundberg Family Farms Arborio Rice an all-natural and quite healthy option. Plus, it may look like your average Arborio rice, but once cooked, it’s very creamy and gentle on the palate.
This product is a suitable substitute, especially if you want to cook some risotto but can’t afford to purchase authentic Arborio rice. Lundberg Family, the company behind this brand, has headquarters located in California. This makes this rice a good choice for those who prefer local products over more expensive imported brands.
Lundberg Family Farms is a true leader when it comes to organic farming. They are dedicated to conserving energy, tap into renewable sources, and implement fair working conditions in their company. Plus, they follow plenty of other socially and environmentally responsible practices.
The majority of their rice variants come from California, as we mentioned. This includes their Arborio rice, which comes in two different sizes – either one or two pounds. An exception to this is their wild rice, which only comes in the standard size of one pound.
What We Like About It:
Many of our testers said the sticky rice produced by this brand offers some of the most exquisite flavors they’ve tasted. One tester used this rice to make risotto with sweet caramelized onions, jalapeno, garlic, chicken broth, olive oil, and a dash of white wine. According to her, the entire family thought the dish was a hit.
Meanwhile, another one of our testers said it was hard to believe that such a unique product comes at such a reasonable price. The creamy texture of the cooked rice also makes it feel like more of comfort food, much the same way many people feel about grits or polenta.
#2 – Zerto Arborio Rice
This brand of Arborio rice is quite easy to make because it doesn’t require any special equipment. With each bag imported straight from Italy, you are able to enjoy delicious, authentic risotto right in your own kitchen. You can also include all sorts of ingredients in your risotto dish, so take your pick from a variety of herbs and cheeses, Italian sausages, shellfish, or shrimp.
Contrary to popular belief, Italian cuisine is much more than just pasta and pizza. Many people forget that they also have fantastic rice dishes with risotto is one of the more popular types in Italy. The dish originates from the northern parts of the country, and so does this rice brand.
This gourmet Arborio rice features a very subtle, creamy flavor, and the rice itself is very tender. Based on these traits, you can incorporate practically any ingredient into your risotto dish without the rice overwhelming any of the added flavors. Try adding in some veggies, including mushrooms, asparagus, or white truffles, and this Arborio rice ensures that your risotto will be rather delectable.
What We Like About It:
Our tester tried making authentic Italian risotto using this rice brand. She added ingredients like garlic powder, celery flakes, onion flakes, butter, and soy sauce for a bit of saltiness, as well as a piece of cod fillet and veggies. She said they turned out fantastic. Another advantage of this brand, according to our tester, is that something as authentic as this product can be found right in her local supermarket. Overall, our tester believed this brand made delicious rice, and she found it better than other brands she has tried in the past.
#3 – Gli Aironi Arborio Italian Rice
This imported Arborio rice brand comes from Piedmont, Italy, and many buyers all around the world claim it to be an ideal type of rice. If you want to deliver creamy risotto for your loved ones and guests, we suggest that this is the best rice for you. The product’s standard package weighs around 2.2 pounds (1000 grams).
After harvesting, a modern machine equipped with advanced technology softly processes the grains. This process allows the grains to retain some of the vitamins and proteins, as heavier processing often removes these nutrients since they are generally concentrated on the surface of the grains. The same gentle process also maintains the delicious texture of the product, even after you cook it.
The primary technique that Gli Aironi utilizes in making their Arborio rice is the use of a handcrafted stone mill. The husking process performed by the stone mill produces a light shelling of the grain, which helps maintain nutrients found in the outer part of the rice. In addition to preserving nutrients, this retained portion of the grain also provides optimal creaminess and a delicate flavor.
Another machine sends the rice inside individual lots, and then each package is vacuum-sealed. This process ensures that the product remains homogenous and fresh from the time it leaves Italy up through the day it ends up in your next homecooked meal.
What We Like About It:
Our tester used this brand of Arborio rice to make something unique: a rice pudding. He resides in a rural countryside area and was lucky enough to find this particular rice brand in a nearby grocery store. His children enjoyed the rice pudding he made, especially when he added sliced peaches, chia seeds, and brown sugar to the recipe. Overall, he said the rice itself is of excellent quality, as he didn’t find any husks or foreign objects while cooking. Not to mention, the rice pudding was a tasty success!
#4 – Riso Scotti Arborio Risotto Rice
This rice is gluten-free and kosher, and it makes a perfect option for vegans and vegetarians. It weighs around 1.1 pounds, or 500 grams, per bag. This Arborio rice is described as short-grain Italian rice, which is excellent for smooth and loose-style risotto dishes. This also means there is more cream in the recipe, as compared to grains.
Riso Scotti is a company that was first established in 1860. Since then, it has transformed into a great leader when it comes to cultivating rice, mostly due to its use of the newest technology when manufacturing its products.
The company has been operating for over 150 years, and it provides nothing but experience and artistic passion when it comes to food. This is especially true for its Arborio rice variants. The latest technologies, combined with high respect for Italian rice fields and their origins, result in the perfect products to meet the demands of their customers. In essence, this company knows how to create excellent products.
What We Like About It:
Many of our testers said the risotto produced from the product variants of this company is of excellent quality. One of them made risotto and paella on two different occasions, and she said the rice nicely absorbed flavors coming from the beef stock she added. It also served as an effective flavor sponge when she tried adding bone broth, mushrooms, carrots, ham bones, a bit of red wine, and parmesan cheese. That dish, in particular, came out very tasty!
#5 – Royal Superfino Arborio Rice
Royal Superfino Arborio Rice is an authentically sourced rice from the Po River Valley of Northern Italy. The grains of this rice is beautiful and translucent, and they offer a very creamy, rich consistency. You can prepare this rice for both savory and sweet types of risotto recipes, and it even works great for desserts like rice pudding. Plus, it’s ready to eat in approximately 30 minutes.
No matter what ingredient you add to it, whether that is wine, butter, broth, or onions, the resulting dish is bound to turn out tasting really good. Also, this product is kosher, gluten-free, vegan, and doesn’t have any GMOs or synthetic components.
Royal Superfino is a company that has been providing nothing but authentic rice and grains from Italy for many years. They source out their products from the best crops to ensure only the best quality.
What We Like About It:
Just like all Royal Superfino products, this Arborio rice is simply amazing. Many of our testers really liked the packaging of this particular Arborio rice brand because it keeps the rice grains dry. Plus, none of our testers even noticed any stray grains outside the bag, and they were looking!
One of our testers is training to be a professional chef. He used this product to make arancini (rice balls). The result was fantastic and made for a delicious and hearty appetizer. In fact, this is the main reason why he has decided not to use any other rice brands for making arancini recipes from now on.
#6 – RiceSelect Arborio Rice
RiceSelect is a company based in Houston, Texas. Their specialty is growing, packaging, and selling delicious rice, as well as other grain-based products, which they started more than 35 years ago. One of their most popular products is the Texmati, which is the very first basmati rice to be grown in the USA. Now, their roster of products includes sushi rice, long-grain jasmine rice, couscous, quinoa, and of course, Arborio rice.
Each time you purchase a product from RiceSelect, you can rest assured that it comes from a seasoned rice producer. Their products are all grown, milled, and packaged in the USA, and they follow validated and internationally recognized standards in rice production.
The grains of their Arborio rice are a bit larger than average. Another distinct characteristic is a white dot right in the middle of the grain. This is an indicator that the grain has been thoroughly polished – an unusual, yet beautiful feature.
Aside from its unique appearance, this Arborio rice brand is perfectly chewy and sticky, after being cooked. It doesn’t have GMOs or synthetic ingredients, and it is kosher and gluten-free. Meanwhile, it only takes about 5 to 10 minutes to start absorbing external flavors, which is quite advantageous when making rice puddings or a classic risotto.
What We Like About It:
RiceSelect Arborio is, hands down, the best Arborio rice according to our testers that tried it. Most of them are Italians, so they know what good risotto is all about.
Also, they now know this brand well and enjoy making delicious risotto using it. It also features good value, and the end result is always tasty. The size and texture of the grains are nice, and our testers all agreed that it maintains its creaminess for a long time. In fact, this product made them want to cook risotto every night for the rest of the week.
#7 – Molinella Italian Arborio Rice
From one generation to another, Molinella has been a quaint, little Italian town that aims to select and harvest only the best Arborio rice for their products. You can use their rice to make traditional Milanese risotto dishes, which includes the perfect combination of rice and peas. This rice holds up nicely during the entire slow-cooking process, all thanks to the high amount of protein and starch found in it. Also, this rice plumps up slowly, giving your dish a creamy, somewhat sticky texture and a firm bite.
Molinella Italian Arborio Rice is a product that contains top-notch components. There are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or highly processed ingredients. It doesn’t include any GMOs and is entirely organic. Plus, each bag of rice is a product imported straight from Italy.
You can also serve this rice up in many surprising ways. For a risotto recipe, you can add some greens, herbs, and other veggies for a meal packed with many nutritious vitamins and minerals.
What We Like About It:
One of our testers absolutely loves his risotto, and he makes the dish at least twice a month. Molinella is actually his favorite brand. That’s because it’s inexpensive and fresh, and the risotto always comes out looking and tasting superior. As a side note, he also mentioned that the vacuum packaging that comes with this product is fantastic.
Another tester made it a point to tell us how thankful she is for an affordable Arborio rice brand like this one. She says her kids love risotto, and she could not afford to make it as often for them if it wasn’t for this cost-effective product!
#8 – Riso Bello Arborio Risotto Rice
Meet another popular Arborio rice brand from Italy – the grains found in the products by this brand are bold, large, and also feature a tiny white dot on its center. This rice is entirely gluten-free and is also free from any foreign additives. In addition, it is classified as a medium grain, which is larger than typical Arborio rice grains.
Riso Bello is a company that has been managed across six generations. Outside of Italy and the USA, they’re known as Riso Gallo, and despite going by different names, this company continues to unite many families around the world.
They have been operating since 1856, and they continue to work hard at establishing and maintaining themselves as the top risotto brand in Italy. They only produce premium quality Arborio rice, which they ship to over 77 countries.
What We Like About It:
This brand provided delicious, velvety, and creamy risotto with a tasty, chewy texture. It also managed to absorb chicken broth added by one of our testers, who says that the broth is a critical flavor in that particular recipe. For her, it was easy to tell that this Arborio rice was milled using nothing but the most advanced methods, as the grains were clearly delicately handled.
The risotto recipe made with this rice offered a nutty taste and a very light, mild feel. Our tester felt that it wasn’t too overpowering when it came to heft, taste, and appearance.
#9 – Fondo Di Toscana Arborio Rice
Fondo Di Toscana’s own Arborio rice comes in a large bag that weighs around 11 pounds. The people behind this lovely Italian company always take pride in directly growing, milling, and producing un-husked Arborio rice, straight from their farms in the province. They use nothing but the best and most innovative milling and growing techniques as a way to produce this amazing, short-grain Italian rice.
The Fondo Di Toscana brand is frequently used by top chefs across Italy. If chefs want to cook tasty rice dishes, including risotto, this is the brand they go with. This Arborio rice cooks the same way every time, and its texture allows it to effectively absorb the flavors of beef, chicken stock, mushrooms, seafood, herbs, and vegetables, among others.
The rice from this brand is superfine, with a lovely grain. Each polished bit of rice has a tiny opaque center that remains firm while cooking. On the other hand, its outer portion absorbs flavors from the other ingredients in your recipe, which is the secret to tender, flavorful risotto.
What We Like About It:
Several of our testers previously used Carnaroli rice when making risotto, but most of them are now converted to Arborio rice, thanks to this brand. This product holds up nicely during the long cooking periods required for making risotto. Plus, this product is more affordable when compared to Carnaroli.
Arborio has high starch content that contributes to its creamy consistency. It is this delectable feature that has our testers committed to purchasing this product the next time they plan to make risotto.
#10 – Principato Arborio Rice
Principato’s farmers harvest their rice during fall and summer, and this Arborio rice brand is quite unique. It’s packaged with its husk still intact.
This brand initially started milling Arborio rice during the 12th century, when it came from a large estate and farm in Italy. In addition, it continues to pay close attention to details when it comes to packaging its rice, which is one of the main reasons the brand has successfully maintained such high quality in this product.
What We Like About It:
This brand produces risotto that is somewhat starchy but can, nonetheless, absorb liquids and flavors very well. These are just a couple of the reasons why our testers loved this product, particularly when it was used to produce a creamy and thick risotto.
This brand is uniquely packaged, as it comes in a bag instead of a box. The only downside to this brand is that it’s a bit more expensive than other products in this roundup. Still, the cost is worth it, according to many of our testers, as this rice retains its shape even during long cooking periods.
You have officially read through our top ten collection of Arborio rice brands on the market this year. As we pointed out, this type of rice isn’t just easy to cook – you can also create all sorts of recipes with it. Therefore, if you can correctly choose the most suitable brand from our list to meet for your exact taste, then you’ll be making tasty dishes in no time. It’s only natural that you will create the best tasting meals when you use the most delicious ingredients.
Do You Need Arborio Rice?
Back in the day, Arborio rice was something that could only be found exclusively in Italy. These rice grains were known to be milky and stubby, and they had plenty of value due to their high starch content. Not to mention, the starchiness gave it a lovely, creamy texture when incorporated into risotto recipes. Luckily, all these things are still present in modern-day Arborio rice, except you can find this great quality at your local grocery store. This is particularly true of the brands in this roundup of the ten best Arborio rice brands this year.
A significant part of our tests and evaluation procedures involved creating risotto and rice pilaf recipes from other types of rice, such as basmati and Thai jasmine. In our tests, all the varieties came out looking and tasting rather different. In the end, Arborio rice was still our preference.
However, this doesn’t mean Arborio rice should only be exclusively used for making risotto. The bite and creaminess you find in most risotto are actually due to a defect found in Arborio rice, known as chalk. The starch structures of the core in the rice grain start to deform once the rice matures. It is at this point when the grains create a lovely, firm toothy center upon being cooked.
Cooking risotto from Arborio rice is quite popular today because you can add plenty of other tasty ingredients to bolster the flavor of the dish. Essentially, you can use this type of rice to come up with many unique recipes and dishes.
In Italy, fundamental risotto recipes include Milan’s risotto Milanese and risi e bisi, where the latter is a combination of risotto and green peas. However, some countries have decided to take their risotto recipes to a whole new level. They now add sweet items like strawberries, and the dishes still taste really good! This is proof that risotto doesn’t necessarily have to be salty or mixed strictly with veggies.
Now you know the ins and outs of Arborio rice, along with the fact that, yes, you really do need it as a staple in your kitchen. Thanks to its creamy taste and the delicious flavors it adds to classic and modern dishes alike, Arborio rice is an absolute must-have. However, maybe you’re still feeling unsure of your decision – you’re not exactly sure what is important to consider when narrowing down your choices from our list of the top ten brands. Fortunately, we’re here to help, as we’ve listed below both the pros and cons to think about when considering the perfect Arborio rice from our list.
Arborio Rice Pros
Classic Ingredient
There’s simply no substitute for Arborio rice when it comes to making a classic Italian risotto recipe. The perfect combination of bite and creaminess, combined with the just-right texture of Arborio rice, arguably makes this rice the most crucial part of risotto. Although our testers tried other rice types in the same recipe, Arborio rice always came out as the clear winner, as far as flavor and texture were concerned. If you are a lover of risotto and other Italian dishes that can utilize Arborio rice, then this is important to consider as you review our top ten list; and
Delicious Flavor
Along similar lines as being a classic ingredient, Arborio rice features a rather delicious flavor unlike any other type of rice. The firm texture, along with the slightly harsh taste and distinct creaminess, provides the unique qualities that make up the best Arborio rice brands. However, not all brands are created equal, so you must keep in mind the variation among different brands as a result of where the grains were grown, how they were milled, and even how they are packaged! There is no doubt that knowing about these features will allow you to make the best decision for your needs.
Arborio Rice Cons
Cost
Let’s face it – not all of us can afford the most premium products on the market. If this is the case for you, as well, then you will need to keep cost in mind when considering the best Arborio rice brand for you. For the few lucky ones who can, or at least choose, to spend their money on the highest quality grains, our top ten list also has something for you. Simply put, the cost is a concern no matter where you are financially, so remember this when making your selection; and
Preparation Time
Each brand has their own process when it comes to growing, harvesting, milling, and packaging their Arborio rice, which means that no two brands will prep the same way. In fact, some will need to cook significantly longer due to simple differences in how they were milled in production. For example, those with more of the shell left on the grain, as a result of gentler milling, will take much longer to cook to the perfect tenderness than bare grains. Do remember to keep this in mind when considering which brand of Arborio rice is best for you. Not everyone has time to devote to cooking husky grains, but at the same time, some people will not let time stand in the way of that perfect flavor and texture.
These are the pros and cons of Arborio rice for you to think about while you peruse the products in our top ten collection. The list, along with the pros and cons, was carefully constructed to provide only the most pertinent information for making the decision on the best brand to suit your needs. You will find all of these details handy as you narrow down your personal choices, so keep them close by while you decide!
Although, maybe you still aren’t convinced of the brand of Arborio rice that you should purchase for your next risotto dish, and you need a little more information. Luckily, we have created one more section just for you – to help you make that final call. Take a look below for a list of critical factors to consider when searching for the best brand of Arborio rice. We recommend that you remember these factors as you parse through your final few options. See below:
Factors to Consider When Buying Arborio Rice
Cost
As mentioned earlier, no one is immune to a budget. In fact, most of us do our best to maintain a fairly tight budget when it comes to our grocery store trips, as these can get out of control pretty fast. In order to stick to that budget, you will have to think about how much you want to invest in your Arborio rice brand. While premium rice brands often deliver the best flavor, they usually come with a premium price tag, as well. In essence, the cost of your Arborio rice shouldn’t put you out, so be sure to consider it as a critical factor when selecting your choice;
Processing
As previously discussed, processing plays a huge role in the way your Arborio rice tastes, feels, and looks. Processes ranging from gentle stone-milling all the way up to decently heavy grinding or polishing will affect your rice experience. Take note of the way each brand processes its Arborio rice as you look deeper into each one. Perhaps you prefer more vitamins and minerals present in your rice, so you would need to choose the gentler processing methods. On the other hand, maybe you are inhibited by cost, so the fastest, most effective processing technique is going to save you the extra few dollars per pound. Regardless of your needs, the way your rice is processed will have an impact on your meals, so keep this in mind as you consider the right brand for you;
Flavor
Not many of us are willing to settle on a flavor of rice that is not up to our personal standards. Unfortunately, the flavor will vary between different brands, which only makes your selection process more complicated. In order to simplify it for you, we’ve discussed the specific flavors of each brand throughout our top ten list of the best brands of Arborio rice for this year. You can take this information into account as you think hard about the ideal brand for your case;
Texture
The texture is another feature of Arborio rice that will vastly differ between different brands. The only way to know for sure if you prefer the texture of a brand is to try it, but we have another solution. You can read through our top ten list again and take special note of the texture descriptions. Then, try to match that information with what most closely aligns with your preferences. This way, you are more likely to land on a brand of Arborio rice that suits you;
Appearance
Another factor, while minor to some, is the appearance of your rice. Some of these brands undergo special polishing processes, where there is an opaque white dot in the center of the grain. Keep in mind that looks aren’t everything and that this feature actually has a function. The opaque center acts as a strong, dense defense against overcooking, so you are certain to maintain a firm texture to your rice, even if you accidentally overcook it. This is simply another aspect to keep in mind; and
Packaging
Finally, when it comes down to the packaging, it may sound a little picky, but the packaging does matter. Keeping your grains fresh and protected from moisture is critical to preserving the delicious flavor and unique texture to this short-grain rice. Ideally, soft and breathable bags packed safely into protective boxes are ideal, so remember to check on the type of packaging before you commit to a brand of Arborio rice. This will ensure you choose the absolute best Arborio rice from our top ten selection for this 2021.
These are the most crucial factors to think about as you look further into our top ten selection of the best brands of Arborio rice this year. If you do keep these features in mind during your consideration, you are sure to identify the ideal product for you, both quickly and without much trouble. Plus, you also have access to our detailed list of pros and cons to assist you in making the wisest choice of Arborio rice for your next tasty meal.
We sincerely hope that this article has helped you out on your way to finding the best brand of Arborio rice to suit your needs. This type of rice is sure to enhance your risotto recipes, in addition to a wide range of other dishes, like soups and rice puddings. At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with an Arborio rice brand from our top ten list for this year. We know you will be happy with the selection that you finally choose, so happy searching!