SIRHA ARABIA / 1-3 OCTOBER 2024 / RIYADH FRONT EXPO
Carnaroli Rice by Riserva San Massimo
Description
The San Massimo Nature Reserve extends over more than 800 hectares and constitutes one of the rarest environmental spheres of the Lombard park of the Ticino valley. This unique landscape offers great variety, with agricultural fields, heathlands, an unpolluted forest full of karst springs and fontanili (a kind of small stagnant water), as well as paths lined with indigenous fruit trees. It is a cradle of biodiversity where wild fauna has found its ideal habitat.
Thanks to the diversity of its ecosystem, the reserve became a Site of Community Importance (SIC) in 2004, and was subsequently declared a Special Protection Area (ZPS). It represents an essential ecological corridor within the Ticino park, promoting genetic exchange between plant species and the migration of fauna, thus preserving biodiversity. In this context, acacia and wild flower honey, as well as a very high-quality Carnaroli rice, are produced exclusively in the reserve, following eco-friendly agricultural practices. The presence of a large number of critically endangered species attracts the attention of regional authorities and the University of Pavia, which have been studying the reserve's fauna for years in order to better preserve it.
When each package is opened, the scent and original fragrance of freshly worked rice is perceived and this is particularly evident in the case of Carnaroli Whole Rice. In order to always guarantee an excellent product, the Riserva San Massimo selects only the best seeds, certified by CREA (Council for Agricultural Research and Analysis of the Agricultural Economy) 100% Carnaroli variety. The difference in value between the latter rice and substitute varieties such as Karnak, Carnise and early Carnise is evident at the first taste, which in turn can be sold with the sales denomination “Carnaroli”. The farm has made a quality choice: to cultivate only pure Carnaroli, dedicating about 100 hectares to it, despite the fact that the maturation times of this rice are the longest ever – the vegetative cycle lasts about 165 days – and the production risks are many . Carnaroli is a sensitive and delicate variety with very tall plants – reaching about 175 cm -. Dino’s watchful eye checks the quality of each package, bag after bag, and only if everything is perfect, we proceed with the labelling, which is done manually. The rice is ready for sale.
