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When we enjoy a plate of rice, we rarely think about the entire journey that grain has taken before reaching our table.
In the case of rice from the Ebro Delta, behind each package there is a process that begins long before it enters our kitchen. Harvesting, transport, drying, storage, processing, and packaging are some of the stages that allow rice to go from the rice paddies of the Delta to our pantries.
But what What exactly happens from the moment the rice is harvested until we can cook it?
Join us on this journey to discover the rice's journey in the Ebro Delta, step by step.
When is the rice harvested in the Ebro Delta?
After months of cultivation, one of the most important moments in the rice cycle arrives: the harvest. In the Ebro Delta, the harvest season usually takes place during September and October, although the exact time can vary depending on growing conditions and the grain's maturity. Before starting, it is necessary to check that the rice has reached the appropriate point of Maturation. The goal is to harvest at the right time to preserve the grain's characteristics and obtain a quality product.
How is rice harvested from the rice paddies?
Once the rice is ready, harvesting begins. Harvesting machines travel through the fields and separate the rice grains from the plant. During this process, what is called paddy rice is obtained, that is, the grain still protected by its outer husk. Mechanized harvesting allows for the efficient collection of large quantities of rice, but the process doesn't end there. Freshly harvested rice still contains a high amount of moisture and needs to go through several stages before becoming the product we find in supermarkets.
What happens after harvesting?
Once harvested, the rice must be transported from the fields to the facilities where it will continue its processing. This transport must be carried out properly to maintain the product's condition and avoid problems related to humidity or its preservation.
From this point on, a new phase of the journey begins: separating and classifying it by variety, and preparing the rice so that it can be properly preserved and continue its transformation.
Why Is it necessary to dry rice?
Freshly harvested rice contains too much moisture to be stored for long periods of time. For this reason, one of the fundamental steps after harvesting is drying.
During this stage, the moisture content of the grain is reduced in a controlled manner until it reaches the appropriate levels for preservation.
The process must be carried out carefully. Improper drying can affect the quality of the rice, causing mold to appear or even rotting, so it is important to control parameters such as temperature and humidity. Once dry, the rice can be stored under suitable conditions while it continues its journey.
How is paddy rice transformed into ready-to-cook rice?
Here we find one of the most important steps in the entire process. The rice that arrives from the fields still has its husk and is not the same product we find in a package of ready-to-cook rice. To achieve this, it must undergo several transformation processes. One of the first is cleaning, which removes plant debris, small impurities, or materials that may have been mixed with the rice during harvesting, such as stones, branches, or soil. Next comes hulling, which removes the outer husk of the grain. From here, the process can continue in different ways depending on the type of rice desired.
Are all rice grains the same?
No. And this is an important part of the process. After the different transformation phases...In addition, rice can undergo selection and classification systems that allow the grains to be separated according to their characteristics. Aspects such as size, shape, color, or possible defects can be taken into account. This process results in a more homogeneous product and helps ensure that the rice reaching the consumer meets established quality standards. Furthermore, depending on the variety and type of final product, rice may undergo different treatments.
How is rice packaged?
Once the rice has passed the corresponding controls and processes, another crucial moment arrives: packaging.
The rice is placed in the different formats intended for the consumer, taking into account the product's characteristics and preservation needs. The packaging has a very important function: to protect the rice from external factors and help preserve its characteristics during storage and transport.
At this point, the rice is already Ready to begin the final part of its journey.
How does rice from the Delta reach our homes?
After packaging, the product begins its distribution.
The rice arrives at different points of sale and, finally, in consumers' kitchens.
And here, for now, ends the journey that began months ago in the fields of the Ebro Delta.
How far has the rice traveled before reaching our plates?
When we put a plate of rice on the table, we are only seeing the last step of a process that began Long before.
From the rice paddies of the Ebro Delta to your kitchen, the grain has gone through harvesting, transport, drying, cleaning, hulling, selection, packaging, and distribution, where hundreds of professionals have given their best so that you can enjoy the best rice from the Delta.
From the Ebro Delta to your table
Rice from the Delta is much more than an ingredient.
It is also landscape, agriculture, tradition, culture, and territory. It is the result of months of work in the rice paddies and a process that continues long after the harvest. The next time you prepare one of your favorite rice recipes, remember that before reaching your kitchen, that grain has already traveled a long way. Enjoy it as it deserves! From the rice paddies of the Ebro Delta to your table: a journey that begins in the fields and ends with a great experience on the plate.