Mesopotamia, Argentina

We import our iron-rich Carnaroli Rice from small estates in the fertile Mesopotamian river valleys of central Argentina at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The Mesopotamian Region is a humid and verdant area that encompasses the provinces of Misiones, Entre Ríos and Corrientes. The landscape is dominated by two rivers, the Paraná and the Uruguay. It is the long parallel courses of the two areas and the fertile areas between them that drove comparisons between this region and the ancient area of Mesopotamia (which is the Greek word for "land between rivers").

The region is hot, humid and characterized by heavy rainfall. Fast decomposition of organic matter gives the area a rich, red soil. Transplanted to Argentina by Italians in the early 1900s, Carnaroli is known as the "caviar of rice." Among Italians, Carnaroli has won a reputation for being the most fashionable. It is also the rice of choice amongst chefs in the US due to its exquisite flavor and perfect texture. It makes a rich and creamy risotto, and also makes wonderful salads and timbales.