There are accolades that arrive at the end of a journey, but which in reality speak of every step along the way: of the land, of the water, of the work in the fields, of the care during processing, and of the actions with which rice enters kitchens every day. Our award-winning Carnaroli PDO at the Great Taste Awards 2026 belongs precisely to this story. The product recognized with one star is the Carnaroli PDO Rice in a 500-gram glass jar with a dispensing cap, one of the most representative expressions of how we combine Piedmontese identity, attention to detail, and the search for a presentation consistent with the quality of the content.
For us, it's not just a sticker on the packaging. It's an opportunity to pause and explain where we come from and why we continue to cultivate and process rice in the Baraggia area. It's also an invitation to look at the grain more carefully: not as an anonymous ingredient, but as the result of a supply chain and a culture that deserve to be known.
If you'd like to learn more about our working methods or speak directly with the laBalocchina team, you can write to commercial@labalocchina.com: the personal relationship with those who choose our rice is as much a part of our work as cultivation itself.
Table of Contents
- What the Great Taste Awards recognition means
- Carnaroli PDO and the Baraggia territory
- From field to jar: the care visible in the product
- Why the award-winning Carnaroli PDO is suitable for risotto
- How to use Carnaroli PDO in the kitchen throughout the year
- The value of recognition for a Piedmontese rice farm
- FAQ
- Conclusion and invitations to discover
What the Great Taste Awards recognition means
The Carnaroli PDO Rice in a 500-gram glass jar with a dispensing cap received one star at the Great Taste Awards 2026. The recognition, therefore, refers to this precise product, in its specific format: it is important to state this clearly, because each package and every presentation tells a concrete part of the work done.
An award of this kind draws attention to the taste and overall experience of the product. For us, it is a positive sign, but it doesn't change how we evaluate our work. We continue to start from the basics: the Italian origin of the rice, cultivation in Piedmont, care for the raw material, and the desire to offer packaging that can accompany the product over time.
The star thus becomes a meeting point between our daily work and the perspective of those who taste it. We are happy to share it without turning it into an absolute promise: a recognition does not replace a kitchen trial and does not, by itself, convey the full complexity of rice. However, it can open a conversation and invite people to learn more about the product.
Carnaroli PDO and the Baraggia territory
Our Carnaroli PDO originates in Baraggia, a Piedmontese territory where rice cultivation has been documented since the 1500s. The history of the area is made of water, seasons, agricultural work, and the ability to adapt to the characteristics of the place. Here, rice farming is not a decorative element of the landscape: it is a concrete presence, built over time by people and families who have learned to read the land.
laBalocchina's farm production began in 1930 at the Mottalciata estate, in the Biella area. Since then, we have cultivated and processed 100% Italian rice in Piedmont, carrying forward knowledge that has spanned three generations. For us, continuity does not mean repeating the same actions without listening to the present. It means knowing our roots and using this knowledge to work carefully even today.
The PDO designation adds a precise reference to the origin and supply chain. When we talk about our PDO rices, we are therefore talking about a documented link with the Baraggia territory and a production that must comply with defined requirements. It is a way to protect the value of Piedmontese rice and to help those who choose it navigate with greater awareness.
The Carnaroli PDO brings this identity to the plate without needing special effects. Its value is expressed in the structure of the grain, its response to cooking, and its ability to accompany different ingredients. These characteristics truly become understandable when the rice is prepared calmly and observed during every phase.
From field to jar: the care visible in the product
The format awarded at the Great Taste Awards 2026 is a 500-gram glass jar with a dispensing cap. We chose glass because it makes the product visible and because it can be reused: once the rice is finished, the container can continue to live in the kitchen to store other ingredients or small everyday objects.
The dispenser also stems from a practical need. In the kitchen, one often starts with an indicative quantity and then learns to adjust based on the number of people, the recipe, and the desired consistency. Having a simple reference helps organize preparation without limiting the freedom to personalize the dish.
The packaging is not separate from the product's history. The rice arrives at the table with its origin, but also with a form designed to be observed, used, and then stored. This is the meaning we give to our packaging: not a covering to be forgotten, but an object capable of prolonging the relationship with the product.
If you are looking for a rice to discover also through its format and want to see the jar dedicated to Carnaroli PDO up close, you can discover the 500-gram package. For restaurateurs, delicatessens, and distributors who wish to discuss formats and collaboration possibilities, our direct contact is commerciale@labalocchina.com.
Why the award-winning Carnaroli PDO is suitable for risotto
Carnaroli is a variety particularly appreciated in the preparation of risotto. Its grain has a compact structure and maintains good firmness during cooking. Meanwhile, it releases starch in a balanced way, contributing to the creaminess of the dish when prepared correctly.
This does not mean there is only one way to cook it. The result depends on the toasting, temperature, liquid added gradually, time, and the final "mantecatura" (creaming). The rice provides a suitable raw material, but the consistency of the risotto comes from the combination of actions.
To start, you can toast the rice in a thick-bottomed saucepan with a light seasoning. The toasting should be uniform, without burning the grains. Then, add hot liquid in several stages, waiting for it to be absorbed before pouring more. Stirring regularly helps distribute the heat and encourages the release of starch.
At the end of cooking, the risotto can rest for a few moments before the mantecatura. Butter, cheese, or other ingredients depend on the recipe and the desired outcome. There's no need to overload the dish: a well-treated Carnaroli PDO can be the orderly base on which to build a delicate or more decisive seasoning.
For a deeper dive into choosing rice based on professional use, you can also read how to choose the rice variety for a restaurant. This content is primarily aimed at those working in catering, but it can also be useful for those who enjoy understanding the differences between varieties.
How to use Carnaroli PDO in the kitchen throughout the year
Risotto is not an exclusively seasonal dish. Its structure can accommodate different ingredients throughout the year, following market availability and how each person enjoys cooking. In spring, it can accompany tender vegetables and aromatic herbs; in summer, it can become fresher with vegetables, citrus, or fish; in autumn, it can enhance mushrooms and cheeses; in winter, it can find balance in richer recipes.
Seasonality is a guide, not a boundary. Even the same base can change completely with more or less intense toasting, a vegetable or meat broth, a more essential mantecatura, or a crunchy contrast added at the end. Carnaroli PDO allows you to think about the recipe without having to pursue a single, obligatory combination.
Its versatility also extends beyond risotto. It can be used for timbales and baked dishes, or for recipes where the texture of the grain needs to remain recognizable. In any case, it is useful to follow the cooking instructions of your recipe and taste during preparation: rice communicates its optimal point more through consistency than through the time written on a clock.
Another consideration concerns the quantity. The 500-gram jar is designed to be practical in the home kitchen and to store rice neatly between preparations. The dispenser helps to start with a measure, but the portion can be adapted to the type of dish and the role the rice will have in the meal.
The value of recognition for a Piedmontese rice farm
Receiving a star at the Great Taste Awards 2026 makes us proud because it brings visibility to a product born from a local and recognizable supply chain. Behind the jar is Baraggia, there is the Mottalciata estate, there is a story that began in 1930, and there are three generations who have chosen to remain committed to rice cultivation.
There is also the desire to maintain an open dialogue with different worlds. laBalocchina rice reaches homes, but it can also be interesting for restaurateurs, delicatessens, distributors, and professionals looking for an Italian raw material with a story to tell. The relationship with these interlocutors is not built solely through a price list: it arises from listening, clarity, and the ability to discuss formats, uses, and needs directly.
Since 2021, our story has also begun to meet the international market. This transition has allowed us to look beyond borders without losing our starting point. For us, Made in Italy quality is not a generic formula: it is the link between a territory, a working method, and the responsibility to present the product coherently.
The star received by our Carnaroli PDO in a glass jar is therefore a milestone, not an endpoint. We continue to cultivate, process, and tell the story of rice with the same attention to our roots and with the curiosity necessary to improve. If you are a food professional and would like to open a discussion, you can call us at +39 351 31 91 392: we will be happy to hear about your project and see if there are points of convergence.
FAQ
What received a star at the Great Taste Awards 2026?
The recognition concerns the laBalocchina Carnaroli PDO Rice in a 500-gram glass jar with a dispensing cap. The star refers to this specific product and format.
Where does laBalocchina Carnaroli PDO come from?
Our Carnaroli PDO originates in the Baraggia territory, in Piedmont. laBalocchina's farm production began in 1930 at the Mottalciata estate, in the Biella area.
For which recipes is Carnaroli PDO suitable?
It is particularly suitable for risotto, because the grain maintains good firmness and releases starch during cooking. It can also be used for timbales, baked dishes, and other recipes where a recognizable texture is desired.
Can risotto be prepared with Carnaroli PDO in any season?
Yes. Risotto is not an exclusively seasonal dish: it can be adapted to ingredients available throughout the year, from vegetables to aromatic herbs, from mushrooms to cheeses, to fish and citrus fruits.
How can I learn more about the product or discuss a collaboration?
For information on Carnaroli PDO and the glass jar packaging, you can consult the product sheet. For restaurateurs, delicatessens, distributors, and other professionals, you can write to commercial@labalocchina.com or call +39 351 31 91 392.
Conclusion
Our award-winning Carnaroli PDO at the Great Taste Awards 2026 tells a story of quality that begins in the soil and reaches the table without losing sight of its journey. The star received for the 500-gram glass jar format gives us the opportunity to share Baraggia, the history of the Mottalciata estate, and the work we have carried out since 1930.
We have chosen to communicate this recognition with simplicity: the award is important, but equally important is the way rice is cultivated, processed, cooked, and preserved. If you wish to taste our Carnaroli PDO or learn more about the laBalocchina project, you can discover the product in a glass jar. If you work in the restaurant or distribution sector, the dialogue can begin by contacting commercial@labalocchina.com or by calling +39 351 31 91 392.