Calasparra Rice D.O.

Calasparra Rice D.O. ‘Virgen de la Esperanza’ Arroz de Calasparra Calasparra is a municipality corp in Murcia, Spain, famous for producing one of the highest quality rice in the world. When cooked, it increases its size by 70%, absorbing more than 3x the liquid used making it ideal for paella dishes. The culinary applications of Calasparra Rice D.O. are many, but is the preferred rice in the world for paellas. The “Virgen de la Esperanza” Agricultural Cooperative of Calasparra has been producing and marketing 95% Calasparra Rice D.O. grown in this privileged rice-growing area since 1962. The exceptionally high quality of the product, combined with the astute management of its members, has been fundamental in placing Calasparra rice at the forefront of world gastronomy. It is marketed through our cooperative to every corner of the globe. It was the first rice in the world to obtain a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), granted in 1986 (Official State Gazette, No. 54, Ministerial Order of March 4). The Cooperative is made up of 160 member producers, with a total of 450 hectares, distributed along the floodplains of the Segura and Mundo rivers (the main tributary on the left bank), located in the Autonomous Communities of Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha (Albacete). The water resources used come from the aforementioned rivers.