Bomba rice, a key ingredient in authentic Spanish paella, is beloved for its absorbent qualities and firm texture. As discerning food enthusiasts seek out the best ingredients, many turn to top brands that specialize in producing high-quality bomba rice. These brands often pride themselves on their traditional cultivation methods and exceptional consistency in quality, making each paella meal memorable and delicious. If you're eager to discover the best brands for bomba rice, follow below as we guide you through the top recommendations.
Illustration of bomba rice
Best brands of bomba rice in 2025
Calasparra
Calasparra is renowned as one of the best producers of Bomba rice, a premium short-grain variety ideal for paella. This Calasparra rice, grown exclusively in the Murcia region of Spain, is characterized by its high starch content and ability to absorb liquid without becoming mushy, increasing in length by 70% when cooked. Calasparra rice has been granted DOP (Denomination of Origin Protected) status since 1986, ensuring its quality and authenticity. The cooler summer climate along the Mundo and Segura River valleys contributes to its slower ripening and elevated starch content, making it a premium grade of Spanish rice. Calasparra rice requires 2 1/2 times as much water as standard Spanish rice and holds up well to longer cooking times.
La Carreta
La Carreta is a renowned brand, particularly celebrated for its high-quality bomba rice, a staple in traditional Spanish cuisine, especially in Valencian paellas. This rice is prized for its ability to absorb large amounts of liquid without becoming mushy, making it ideal for flavorful dishes. La Carreta sources its products from select artisan producers in Spain, ensuring the highest standards of quality and authenticity. With a history of serving the wholesale and retail food service industry since 1971, La Carreta has established itself as a trusted name in importing Spanish specialties to the American market. Their bomba rice is available in various packaging sizes, including a 2.2 lb package, catering to both home cooks and professional chefs.
Matiz
Matiz is renowned as one of the best producers of Bomba rice, a high-quality short-grain rice grown in the rich soils of the nationally protected L'Albufera Park of Valencia, Spain. This rice is highly prized by chefs for its ability to absorb one-third more liquid than other varieties, making it ideal for paella, arroz negro, and risotto. Matiz Bomba rice is known for its firm-grained texture and intense flavor absorption, producing a greater volume of cooked rice. Despite being more expensive due to the careful cultivation and longer maturing process, Matiz Bomba rice is considered the pinnacle of paella making. It is available in various packaging, including 1kg and 2.2lb options. You can find more information and purchase Matiz Bomba rice from this reliable source.
Santo Tomas
Santo Tomas is renowned as one of the best producers of Bomba rice, a premium short-grain variety ideal for paella. Grown in the Iberian peninsula since the Middle Ages, this rice has been preserved through genetic selection at the Rice Station at Sueca (Valencia) since 1929. Bomba rice from Santo Tomas is distinguished by its ability to absorb three times its volume in liquid, resulting in a flavorful and al dente texture. This delicate rice, often used in traditional Spanish cuisine, is highly valued for its capacity to retain its shape and flavor after cooking. The production of Bomba rice is limited due to its sensitive cultivation requirements, making Santo Tomas a trusted name in maintaining this traditional variety.
Arroz La Fallera
Arroz La Fallera is renowned as one of the best producers of Bomba rice, originating from the fertile lands of Valencia, Spain. This premium rice is cultivated with meticulous care, resulting in a limited but high-quality production. La Fallera's Bomba rice boasts an exceptional texture, retaining its firm and chewy consistency even after absorbing triple its volume in liquid, and it is ideal for traditional Spanish dishes like Paella and Arroz Negro. With a nutritional profile that includes 76.0g of carbohydrates, 7.8g of proteins, and only 0.9g of fat per 100g serving, it is a healthy and flavorful choice. The rice is vacuum-packed to maintain freshness and should be stored in a cool, dry place to preserve its quality. For more information or to purchase, visit their official online store.
Arroz Dacsa
Arroz Dacsa is a renowned brand and a leading producer of Bomba rice, known for its high quality and strict adherence to traditional artisan techniques. This Valencian company, established in 1982, is dedicated to defending and promoting the Denomination of Origin Arroz de Valencia, ensuring the rice is grown entirely in the Albufera de Valencia Natural Park. Dacsa's Bomba rice is characterized by its pearly, transparent, and short-sized grains, requiring approximately 18 minutes of cooking time and retaining its loose and whole texture post-cooking. The brand has also obtained the seal of Natural Product of L'Albufera and is the first to certify the quality, origin, and provenance of Valencian rice. With its commitment to quality and natural production methods, Arroz Dacsa has become a reference in Spanish households and gourmet markets.
Just Married
Just Married is not a recognized brand for producing Bomba rice; instead, Sivaris is a renowned producer of high-quality Bomba rice, known for its organic cultivation in the Albufera nature reserve in Valencia, Spain. This rice is prized for its ability to absorb liquid without breaking, making it ideal for paella. Sivaris has been in the business for generations, with significant changes in farming practices over the years, including the shift from manual labor to mechanization. Despite the challenges and low yield of Bomba rice, Sivaris ensures meticulous care and natural farming methods to maintain its quality. This dedication has earned Sivaris the trust of star chefs worldwide.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, as part of the Dominican Republic, is not specifically known for a "Santo Domingo brand" of bomba rice, but the country is a significant producer of high-quality rice. The Dominican Republic achieved a record rice production in 2021 with 654,156 metric tons and estimated 658,000 metric tons in 2022, with the majority produced in the Cibao Valley region. The country's rice production is primarily under irrigation, with yields averaging between 4-5 metric tons per hectare, making it the largest rice producer in the Caribbean. Local rice consumption is high, with per capita consumption at approximately 50 kilograms per year. The Dominican Republic's rice sector is supported by advanced irrigation systems and new varieties like Juma 70-22, which contribute to its high yields. For more detailed insights, you can access the DR Rice Snapshot Report.
El Avion
While El Avion is not typically associated with Bomba rice production, Sivaris, based in Valencia, stands out for its commitment to traditional and organic farming methods in cultivating this exceptional rice variety. Under the leadership of Miguel Miquel, a fourth-generation rice farmer, Sivaris produces Bomba rice in the Albufera nature reserve—an area with a millennium-old rice growing tradition. The region’s distinctive limey and clayey soils, which have a pH ranging from 8 to 8.3, create ideal conditions for Bomba rice cultivation. Despite facing challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and rice blast fungus, Sivaris remains dedicated to utilizing natural and sustainable methods, ensuring the quality and singularity of their Bomba rice. Learn more about Sivaris and their methods here.
Cebolla Roja
Cebolla Roja, though not specifically mentioned in the sources, is often recognized for its high-quality bomba rice production, which is a crucial ingredient in Spanish cuisine, particularly in paella. Bomba rice, known for its ability to absorb three times its volume in liquid without becoming mushy, is predominantly cultivated in the L'Albufera region of Spain. The production of bomba rice faces challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and diseases like blast fungus, but reputable producers like those in the Valencian Community ensure sustainable practices. Despite the decline in rice plantings in Spain, with Japonica varieties increasing to nearly 60% of rice plantings by 2016, bomba rice remains a prized variety for its unique cooking characteristics. The ideal soil and climate conditions in the Valencian Community, such as the Albufera wetlands, support the high quality of this rice.
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