Top Risotto Rice Brands: Elevate Your Culinary Creations

Risotto, a traditional Italian dish renowned for its creamy texture and rich flavor, demands the finest quality rice to achieve perfection. While Arborio rice is the most commonly used variety, other specialty options such as Carnaroli and Vialone Nano are often preferred by chefs for their unique qualities. In the market, several brands have distinguished themselves by consistently providing high-quality grains that enhance the risotto experience, from delightful texture to the authentic taste. Below, we explore a curated list of the best rice brands to elevate your next risotto dish.

Illustration of rice for risotto

Best brands of rice for risotto in 2025

Carnaroli

Carnaroli is renowned as one of the best producers of rice for risotto, known as "the king of rices" due to its higher starch content and firmer texture. Grown in the Pavia, Novara, and Vercelli provinces of northern Italy, Carnaroli rice maintains its shape well during the slow cooking process required for risotto, thanks to its high amylose content. This variety was developed in 1945 through the crossing of Vialone and Lencino and was first registered in the Varietal Register in 1974. Recently, Carnaroli rice prices have increased significantly, with a 118% year-over-year increase to USD 1414.85/MT in October and November 2022 due to reduced availability caused by drought and high temperatures. For more information about Carnaroli rice, visit Riso Scotti.

Arborio

Arborio rice, named after the municipality of Arborio in Italy's Piedmont region, is renowned for its exceptional suitability in making risottos due to its high amylopectin starch content, which gives it a creamy and chewy texture. This short-grain rice saw significant price increases in 2022, with a 113% year-over-year increase to USD 1094.26 per metric ton, largely due to drought and high temperatures affecting production. Arborio rice is often prepared al dente and requires the slow addition of stock or broth to achieve its rich, creamy consistency. It is also used for rice puddings and is part of the Japonica group of rice varieties. The unique texture and flavor of Arborio rice make it a staple in Italian cuisine. For more insights into specialty rice like Arborio, visit their website.

Vialone Nano

Vialone Nano is a renowned Italian semifino (medium-grain) rice variety, ideal for preparing creamy and silky risottos. Developed in 1937 by crossing Vialone and Nano rice, it is characterized by its round, compact grains that absorb twice their weight in liquid, making it perfect for robust risotto dishes. This rice maintains its shape and texture during cooking, thanks to its high amylose content. Vialone Nano is exclusively produced in the province of Verona, Italy, and has been granted the protected geographical indication (IGP) since 1996. It is a favorite in the Veneto region for its versatility and ability to capture flavors during cooking. For more details, visit the Vialone Nano rice page.

Maratelli

Maratelli rice is renowned as one of the best producers for risotto due to its excellent flavor-absorbing properties and ability to maintain its shape during slow cooking. Developed in 1919 by Mario Maratelli, this semifino rice variety was widely cultivated in the Asigliano Vercellese province of Vercelli, covering 8% of Italian rice-cultivated fields by 1970. Its high amylose content makes it ideal for risotto, and it was even used by Chef Gualtiero Marchesi in his "Risotto oro e zafferano" recipe in 1982. Maratelli rice experienced a significant boom in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with over 13,000 hectares dedicated to its cultivation. It has been certified by PAT Piedmont and Slow Food's "Ark of taste" for its culinary and historical significance. For more details about this distinguished variety, visit the Maratelli rice Wikipedia page.

Riso Gallo

Riso Gallo is a renowned Italian company, founded in 1856, that stands out as a leading producer of high-quality rice for risotto, boasting a 20.5% market share in Italy and distributing its products in 80 countries. The company is committed to sustainability, with 100% of its Risotto rice portfolio grown in Italy using sustainable agriculture practices supported by contractual and economic incentives for farmers. Riso Gallo's premium products, such as Carnaroli Gran Riserva, are highly sought after and undergo strict selection procedures, with only 20% of the paddy rice qualifying for the Gran Riserva label. The company has also pioneered digitalization in its supply chain, collaborating with xFarm Technologies to enhance traceability, efficiency, and sustainability. Riso Gallo's efforts have been recognized internationally, making it a benchmark for sustainable agricultural practices. For more insights into their rice processing techniques, visit their website.

Acquerello

Acquerello is renowned as one of the best producers of rice for risotto, particularly with their Carnaroli variety, which is aged for at least one year in refrigerated silos to stabilize the starch and enhance flavor. This process, involving 20 meticulously controlled steps, including the patented re-integration of the rice germ, ensures the rice retains the nutritional values of brown rice while maintaining the ease of cooking of white rice. The aging process can extend up to 8 years for the most discerning chefs, resulting in a rice that increases in volume and has a reduced stickiness, allowing for better absorption of spices. Acquerello rice is grown, harvested, and packed at Tenuta Colombara in Italy, emphasizing environmental sustainability and technological innovation. This unique production technique has earned Acquerello a place in the Altagamma Foundation, an association of Italian luxury brands. For more details, explore Acquerello's website.

Scotti

Riso Scotti is a renowned brand and a leader in the production of high-quality rice for risotto, with a legacy spanning over 150 years. The company is known for its strict quality control, from the selection of partner farmers to the thorough chemical-physical controls of the rice grains, ensuring a higher qualitative level than Italian law provisions. Riso Scotti's Arborio rice, a Superfino variety, is ideal for risotto due to its large grains and high starch content. The company distributes its products in over 80 countries and has recently become the first Italian rice producer to enter the Chinese market, following a protocol signed in April 2020. Italy, where Riso Scotti is based, is the leading rice producer in the European Union, cultivating 228,000 hectares and harvesting one million tons of milled rice annually. You can learn more about Riso Scotti's Italian Arborio Risotto Rice on their product page.

Fior di Riso

Fior di Riso is a renowned brand in Italy, particularly celebrated for its high-quality rice varieties ideal for risotto. The brand benefits from Italy's robust rice production, with regions like Piedmont and Lombardy accounting for 92% of the country's rice production, valued at approximately Euro 500 million in 2020. The brand's focus on premium varieties such as Carnaroli, Arborio, and Baldo aligns with the national trend, where 40% of processed rice is allocated to these premium types. Italy's average rice production stands at about 1.3 million metric tons, with a significant portion being Japonica varieties, which include the types used by Fior di Riso. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation, such as using advanced technologies like vacuum packing and optical sorters, enhances its competitive profile in both domestic and international markets.

RiceSelect

RiceSelect is renowned for its high-quality rice products, particularly its Arborio rice, which is ideal for risotto dishes. This Italian-style rice is certified organic, free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and contains no genetically engineered ingredients. A 1/4-cup serving of cooked RiceSelect Arborio rice contains 150 calories, making it a nutritious choice for culinary creations. The brand's commitment to quality is evident in its award-winning products, recognized worldwide for their outstanding taste and texture. RiceSelect's Arborio rice is a staple for chefs and home cooks alike, ensuring a perfect risotto every time.

Molinella

Molinella is renowned as one of the best producers of Arborio rice, particularly suited for Italian risotto, with a long history of selecting and harvesting only the highest quality grains. This brand, originating from a quaint Italian town, ensures its rice retains high amounts of protein and starch, resulting in a creamy, somewhat sticky texture. Molinella's Arborio rice is entirely organic, contains no artificial flavors or preservatives, and is free from GMOs. Each bag is imported directly from Italy, maintaining its freshness through vacuum-sealing. The rice is ideal for traditional Milanese risotto dishes, including the perfect combination of rice and peas. You can explore Molinella's Arborio rice further on their official product page.