The rice
Rice is a grain grown all around the world. In terms of surface area, rice paddies are only surpassed by wheat fields in the world. Three fourths of the world´s population consume this grain on a daily basis.
However, in our country, there are only a few regions renowned for producing high- quality rice. Pals, in the Baix Emporda province, is one of these, harvesting different varieties of the grain.
In the province of Girona the planting and harvesting of the crop has a long history. For more than five centuries it has been intimately linked to the daily life of many people from l’Empordà, more specifically from the Pals district.
The first historical entry with reference to rice cultivation in the area comes from the 15th century, when the first rice mills were built in order to profit from the already existent irrigation channels that carried water from the Ter River (The best known channel being el Rec del Molí).
The climate in Pals is ideal for growing this crop, known as a staple food source for millions of people throughout the world. The land surrounding this town is fertilized by the waters of the Ter, and thanks to the irrigation channels, the rice grows full of essential nutrients. This fact combined with the special climatology of the region and a crop that is grown with respect for the environment ensures a product of the highest standards.
Today l’Emporda is known as a rice-growing region thanks to the efforts made by the Pals peasants. In 1984 the Parals family had the opportunity to buy el molí de lPals, built in 1452, and within a year were commercializing their crop and the rice from the other peasants. At present el molí de Pals is one of the Europe’s oldest mills still in operation.
In 2005 the rice from el molí de lPals obtained the distinction of being category e” rice A categorization of the origin and quality of the rice agreed on by the commerce chamber of the Alt and Baix Empordà.
The production in Pals is respectful of the environment. The paddies are left flooded during four months (from December to March) so that migrating birds can feed and build their nests. All in all the paddies are flooded for only ten months.
The cultivation of rice in Pals is characterized by its important ecological effect. The paddies become a rich aquatic ecosystem that, during the various stages of production, promotes the development and growth of the various species of insects, birds and its unique flora.
The variety of crops from Pals:
There exists a great variety of rice to cultivate and commercialize in the world. From Pals the typical varieties are the bahía, the tebre, the sénia and the loto.
These four varieties are not only found in Pals’ paddies but also in other fields irrigated by the river Ebro. In Pals we differentiate our rice from the others by branding it with the name of Arròs Molí de Pals.
However, in our country, there are only a few regions renowned for producing high- quality rice. Pals, in the Baix Emporda province, is one of these, harvesting different varieties of the grain.
In the province of Girona the planting and harvesting of the crop has a long history. For more than five centuries it has been intimately linked to the daily life of many people from l’Empordà, more specifically from the Pals district.
The first historical entry with reference to rice cultivation in the area comes from the 15th century, when the first rice mills were built in order to profit from the already existent irrigation channels that carried water from the Ter River (The best known channel being el Rec del Molí).
The climate in Pals is ideal for growing this crop, known as a staple food source for millions of people throughout the world. The land surrounding this town is fertilized by the waters of the Ter, and thanks to the irrigation channels, the rice grows full of essential nutrients. This fact combined with the special climatology of the region and a crop that is grown with respect for the environment ensures a product of the highest standards.
Today l’Emporda is known as a rice-growing region thanks to the efforts made by the Pals peasants. In 1984 the Parals family had the opportunity to buy el molí de lPals, built in 1452, and within a year were commercializing their crop and the rice from the other peasants. At present el molí de Pals is one of the Europe’s oldest mills still in operation.
In 2005 the rice from el molí de lPals obtained the distinction of being category e” rice A categorization of the origin and quality of the rice agreed on by the commerce chamber of the Alt and Baix Empordà.
The production in Pals is respectful of the environment. The paddies are left flooded during four months (from December to March) so that migrating birds can feed and build their nests. All in all the paddies are flooded for only ten months.
The cultivation of rice in Pals is characterized by its important ecological effect. The paddies become a rich aquatic ecosystem that, during the various stages of production, promotes the development and growth of the various species of insects, birds and its unique flora.
The variety of crops from Pals:
There exists a great variety of rice to cultivate and commercialize in the world. From Pals the typical varieties are the bahía, the tebre, the sénia and the loto.
These four varieties are not only found in Pals’ paddies but also in other fields irrigated by the river Ebro. In Pals we differentiate our rice from the others by branding it with the name of Arròs Molí de Pals.
