Ebro Delta Rice

The Ebro delta is truly the rice growing capital of Catalonia, with over 22,000 hectares reserved for this crop.

The Ebro delta is truly the rice growing capital of Catalonia, with over 22,000 hectares reserved for this crop. The Arròs del Delta de l'Ebre Protected Designation of Origin has existed since 1992 and is recognised throughout the world for its uniqueness and quality.

The designation includes six varieties : bahía, bomba, fonsa, montsianell, sènia and tebre, grown exclusively in the towns of Aldea, Ampolla, Amposta, Camarles, Deltebre, Sant Carles de la Ràpita and Sant Jaume d'Enveja.

The rice from the Ebro Delta is a semi-long and round grain, characterised by its excellent quality and flavour. It is only sold as "extra" class.

Catalan cuisine has a long-standing tradition of dishes prepared using this cereal such as for making arròs a banda, accompanied by fish and potatoes or rice with cabbage, green beans and turnip.

In the Delta area a dish is prepared using bomba rice mixed with Mantis prawns, cuttlefish and pepper in addition to an unusual paella including chicken, rabbit and pork, prawns, crab and sea snails.

With regard to desserts, everyone has heard of rice pudding and rice with chocolate.

During early October El Delta holds the rice harvesting festival, where the artisan way of picking the grains using typical carts can be seen. Around about the same time Deltebre is the venue for a gastronomic fair where all the culinary varieties of this product can be sampled.