Those who think that to bring a good risotto to the table you need to buy the most expensive rice might think again. The latest test by Altroconsumo, which analyzed 15 packs of Carnaroli rice, crowns Grandi Riso Terra del Riso Carnaroli as the best in the test, while the most expensive product is actually rejected because, according to the analyses, it does not respect the characteristics of the Carnaroli variety declared on the label.
With a score of 78/100 and a price of 3.68 euros per kilo, Grandi Riso Terra del Riso stands out for the quality of the grains, compliance with legal standards and excellent cooking yield. Immediately behind is Carrefour Carnaroli, which scores 75/100, confirming that it is possible to purchase an excellent Carnaroli without spending large sums.
At the other end of the list we find Riso Principe Carnaroli, sold at 5.52 euros per kilo, the highest price of all the products examined. According to Altroconsumo, the rice has morphological characteristics incompatible with the Carnaroli variety and for this reason it was rejected. A result that demonstrates how price, alone, is no guarantee of authenticity or quality.
The other promoted products
Brands that receive a positive rating also include:
In the lower part of the ranking, in addition to Riso Principe, there are Curtiriso, Riso Scotti, Selex, Conad and Delizie dal Sole (Eurospin), penalized above all for quality defects and failure to comply with some parameters required by law.
Safety: overall positive picture
From a food safety point of view, the results are reassuring. The analyzes found levels of cadmium and arsenic below the legal limits and, in about half of the samples, cadmium was not even detected.
Even with regards to pesticides, any traces found are always within the permitted limits. Aflatoxins are absent, while the mycotoxin DON (deoxynivalenol) was identified in only two products – Delizie dal Sole and Riso Principe – in quantities that Altroconsumo considers not to be of concern from a health point of view.
Because some brands have been penalized
In addition to safety, the test verified compliance with the standards set by Legislative Decree 131, which regulates the commercial quality of rice. Among others, the percentage of broken grains, the presence of immature grains or grains belonging to other varieties and the uniformity of the grain were evaluated.
On these aspects, Curtiriso, Selex, Riso Scotti and above all Riso Principe have highlighted the greatest critical issues, with defects that affect both the conformity of the product and the yield during the preparation of the risotto.
The test in the kitchen
The samples were finally subjected to a sensorial test to evaluate their resistance to cooking, al dente consistency, ability to absorb the seasoning and final creaminess. The products that obtained the best scores stood out for more uniform grains, fewer breakages and better sealing in the pan, essential characteristics for a true quality risotto.
