Kompas.com – The Masterchef Season 12 event on Saturday (8/3/2025) presents the challenges of rice to the participants.
They were asked to cook dishes from various types of rice provided. One type of rice served is Arborio rice.
This rice is the best -selling. Some participants who want to use Arborio rice until they run out, so they have to use other rice.
Then, what is Arborio rice?
Also read: Risotto, Rice Dishes from Italy cooked at Masterchef Indonesia 2025
What is Arborio rice?
Arborio rice is a type of short -grained rice that is mainly used in the manufacture of classic risotto.
This rice is named in accordance with its home region in Italy, where it was first cultivated. However, at present, Arborio rice is also planted in several regions in the United States, such as California and Texas.
The hallmark of this rice is its short shape, fat, and a little oval with a pearl white surface.
Of the various sizes available, Super Fino as the largest size, is the most commonly used in the United States.
Arborio rice content and features
Arborio rice has a high content Amylopectina kind of starch found in rice. Because through a milling process that is less compared to ordinary long rice, Arborio maintains more of its status.
When cooked, this starch is released, produces a more springy, dense, and creamy rice texture compared to other types of rice. The price of Arborio rice is also more expensive, about double the ordinary long white rice.
Also read: Porang Rice, As long as the benefits
Although risotto is the most frequently made dish with arborio rice, there are also various other dishes that use the texture Creamy from this rice.
At the Masterchef season 12 this time, besides Risotto, a participant named Wiji Indah Arianti also used Arborio rice for cooking Italian Baked Rice.
Unlike other types of rice that usually have to be washed before cooking, arborio rice should not be rinsed.
Washing rice can eliminate the starch layer which gives its unique texture when cooked.
However, if used in recipes that require more loose rice texture, washing rice can be done.
Illustration of typical Italian chicken risotto.
