Arborio rice

A short-grain, pearl-like Italian white rice which is high in starch. Arborio rice forms the foundation of the dish risotto. Riso means rice in Italian. Like other rices, Arborio is a member of the grass family. What distinguishes it is a higher than normal amount of soluble starch that is released during cooking. The starch is what makes a risotto creamy. Arborio rice takes about eighteen minutes to cook. It is done when it is al dente, tender on the outside and firm in the center.