Rice is everywhere: on our plates, in our traditions, even at weddings. But how much do you really know about this small but mighty grain? Here are 5 interesting facts about rice that might surprise you, told by those who live immersed in the rice fields of Vercelli.

1. Rice doesn't grow in water (almost)

Let's dispel a myth right away: rice doesn't (only) need water to grow. It could easily grow on dry soil, but then why do we always grow it flooded? Water serves to protect the seedlings from temperature changes, suffocates weeds that would otherwise grow too strong, and keeps the soil cool. The rice fields of the Vercelli area are flooded precisely for this reason, creating the postcard-perfect landscape we love so much.

2. There are over 200 varieties of rice in Italy

From Basmati to Carnaroli, from black rice to red rice: the rice family is enormous. In Italy, we mainly grow risotto varieties like Arborio, Carnaroli, and Vialone Nano, but there are many others around the world. Each variety has unique characteristics: grain size, starch content, cooking time. Here in the Vercelli area, we specialize in the finest rice varieties, perfect for creamy risotto.

3. Rice feeds more than half the planet

While we Italians use it for gourmet risottos, for over 3.5 billion people, rice is a daily staple. It is the most consumed grain in the world, second only to corn (which, however, is mainly used for animal feed). Think about it the next time you eat risotto: you're savoring the food that nourishes half of humanity. Furthermore, rice wasn't a food for everyone; its price was incredibly high in the past! And it wasn't used so much as a food but as a medicine for intestinal disorders. Did you know?

4. Vercelli produces 50% of Italy's rice

Local pride: the province of Vercelli is the rice capital of Europe. With over 80,000 hectares of rice paddies, about half of Italy's rice is produced here. When you eat risotto at a restaurant, there's a good chance the rice comes from here, from these fields you pass by if you stay in Asigliano Vercellese. It's not just tourism: it's living where excellence is born.

5. Rice made history with its rice weeders

In the 1950s, for about 40 days every summer, the rice fields were filled with women busy weeding. The rice weeders, so called because they weeded the rice paddies, gave rise to folk songs, peasant leagues, and unions due to the terrible working conditions they were forced to endure. The rice weeders' story allowed all Italian workers to improve their working conditions. At AMY B&B, you can experience part of this history firsthand!

Experience rice firsthand

Reading interesting facts is interesting, but experiencing the rice fields up close is a whole other story. At AMY B&B Casetta di Charme, you can organize tours of the rice fields, talk to those who have been working this way for generations, and truly understand what it means to grow rice in the Vercelli area.

Below, you'll see a selection of our breakfasts. Why not plan a weekend here?