Cascina Oschiena Classic Carnaroli Rice
For Italian cooks, the rice of choice for risotto is always going to be carnaroli. Easier-to-find Arborio is also commonly used—but it will often render your dish gloopy and gummy. Medium-grained carnaroli, however, is prized for its ability to achieve the perfect, creamy risotto texture without the individual grains turning into mush. Like pasta, the grains should be just a touch al dente—no longer crunchy in the center, but just soft enough that each grain is tender, with a dense, chewy center. This Italian producer’s carnaroli achieves that flawlessly, with tender grains giving way to a creamy, luxurious sauce. When steamed, it’s fluffy with a lovely creamy-dense texture. And it easily absorbs the flavor of whatever liquid you use to cook it.