What is arborio?

Arborio is a variety of short-grain rice commonly used for risotto, which originated from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. It is named after the town of Arborio, where it was first cultivated. Arborio rice has a high starch content and a creamy texture when cooked, making it ideal for risotto. The rice grains are larger and slightly rounder than other short-grain rice varieties. Arborio rice is available in both white and brown varieties and is often used in other dishes, such as rice pudding and casserole dishes.