Arroz con


 We begin with a proper Candlemas Bun - the garage that was there 2008 and is gone in the 2020s.   We are heading off in another direction, into the rural coastal strip and towards La Albufera - a rather fetching coastal lagoon loafing  about to the south of Valencia.


The lagoon occupies about 24km2 and is surrounded by 223km2 of rice fields on irrigated land. It is separated from the sea by a sandy coastal bar, which is being fixed in place by a lot of pine trees. 



Once upon a Roman time this area was a bay but about 2000 years ago it became cut off from the sea and a process of reclamation began.  Fishing remained important and was held by various nobles, including French Marshal Suchet until 1818.



So, let’s talk rice.  Rice was brought to Spain by the Arabs in the 12th century.  Valencia was one of the early adopter - although it is now grown in 6 for the 17 administrative regions.  About 120 million kilos of rice are grown in Valencia.



Spain is a major exporter of rice to Myanmar, Pakistan and Italy, although it is only 90th of 154 counties in terms of consumption.  Funnily enough Valencia has among the highest rice consumption - while Gallica is one of the lowest.  


Rice growers begin the year around February fertilising and preparing the land. The fields are flooded in April and the crops planted in straight rows.  September is the harvest month.

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