Rice is a universal product that can be cooked in many ways. It is one of the most widely consumed grains in the world and there are hundreds of varieties, each with different properties, textures and flavours. In our country, rice is much more than just an ingredient, it has become a real tradition that brings families together around the table on Sundays. Harvest time The rice cycle is a living and changing process. It begins with the planting in June, when several towns in Terres de l'Ebre celebrate the Rice Planting Festivals and celebrate the work carried out by our ancestors when planting this grain by hand. The cycle culminates in September with the popular rice harvest in the main rice fields of the region, which consists of the harvesting of this precious grain. This moment, which arrives with the last heartbeats of summer, is also a cause for celebration in Terres de l'Ebre, with the Rice Harvest Festivals. Rice from this area has been recognised since 1992 with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Delta de l'Ebre Rice, for its uniqueness and exceptional quality. This appellation includes six varieties –bahia, bomba, fonsa, montsianell, sènia and tebre–, which are grown exclusively in the municipalities of the Delta de l'Ebre. In this territory you can enjoy more than 22,000 hectares of rice fields, an authentic mosaic of landscapes that change colour throughout the year and offer unique scenery during the September harvest. Beyond Terres de l'Ebre, in other parts of Catalonia there are also municipalities known for their rice-growing tradition. For example, on the Costa Brava is the town of Pals, where for centuries there has been one of the most highly-rated rice paddies by Catalan chefs. Reviving the rice tradition Different municipalities in Terres de l'Ebre –such as Deltebre, La Ràpita, L'Aldea, Amposta, L'Ampolla and Sant Jaume d'Enveja– celebrate the Rice Harvest Festival with the aim of reviving the work carried out by our ancestors when harvesting rice using traditional methods. By recreating how this agricultural work was carried out in the past, the farmers invite anyone brave enough to step into the rice fields and feel the mud beneath their feet, just as past generations once did. In Deltebre, for example, the Rice Harvest Festival takes place at the Finca Bombita in mid-September. During the celebration, the local farmers, sickle in hand, perform a demonstration of the mowing of the land, highlighting their work and keeping alive one of the traditions and cultural expressions unique to the Delta de l'Ebre. Then comes the more playful and festive part with traditional music from Terres de l'Ebre, dances, shows, games and the improvised "jota" contest. L'Aldea is another of the municipalities that, at the end of September, also celebrates the Rice Harvest Festival. During the morning, different activities are organised to commemorate this typical event of the area with a re-enactment of what rice harvesting was like in the 19th century. In addition, during the day, around the Torre de l'Ermita you can also taste typical sweets from the Delta and enjoy the popular "jotas" dance or a typical wrestling match from the region. Other towns, such as La Ràpita, Amposta and L'Ampolla, also pay tribute to this tradition with their celebrations around the rice harvest. Beyond these festivals, other events are held in which rice is the star product. Some examples are the Rice Gastronomic Days in Terres de l'Ebre or the "Arròs i Tastets" Gastronomic Days in Baix Penedès and the Castelldefels Cooking Show.