Calasparra in north-western Murcia celebrates its main culinary and agricultural speciality

There are many attractions in and around the town of Calasparra, in the north-west of the Region of Murcia, including the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Esperanza, a place of worship carved into the rock face just outside the town, the spectacular Canyon of Almadenes, where the River Segura has cut a gorge through the rock over millions of years, the 5-kilometre cave network of the Cueva del Puerto, regular arts and crafts markets and the prehistoric rock art found at a couple of nearby sites.

But arguably the most important is the most prized product of the local agriculture: rice. Rice fields are not a common sight in Europe, but in Calasparra the climate, landscape and soil have lent themselves to rice growing for many centuries, and this was in fact the first cereal crop in the world to be awarded Denomination of Origin status (in 1986). Locally grown rice is, logically, a key ingredient in the local gastronomy, and is often eaten in paella-like dishes with chicken, vegetables, rabbit, snails and broad beans, adding yet another attraction for visitors to this part of Murcia.

2026, then, is the 40th anniversary of the DOP status of Calasparra rice, and a number of events are being held to commemorate the milestone – most of them, of course, involving food in one way or another! The first is in April at the Salón de Gourmets in Madrid, where Calasparra Will be in the spotlight, and throughout the year a campaign is ongoing to promote the “Rutas del Arroz”, or Rice Routes – these are paths for visitors which run through the rice fields close to the river, an area where the vegetation is lush and green in a way that can be found in only a few parts of Murcia.

The routes are also close to the prehistoric rock art sites of Los Abrigos del Pozo and the Villa Vieja, the location of the first true settlement of the town which is now Calasparra, although it is 6 km away. It was inhabited during the occupation of the area by the Moors and was probably a farming community or "alquería", which reached its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries.

The Rice Routes are fairly short and most people explore them on foot, but horse riders and mountain bikers can also enjoy the experience, and the best times to visit are during the spring sowing season (which usually lasts from March to May) and at harvest time, which is generally in September and October.

One of the routes, which follows a double circular path, passes the area known as El Esparragal and is close to Los Abrigos del Pozo, taking visitors through the rice fields alongside the Segura. The reflection of the evening sky can provide unique and memorable views, and there will be numerous guided visits during the year.

The Rice Museum of Calasparra

The local rice museum (and not many places in Spain can boast one of them!) was opened on 1^st June 2007 on two floors of the Casa Granero in the Calle Mayor, a building which used to belong to the Counts of the Valle de San Juan. The first floor illustrates the rice-growing area of north-western Murcia, the cultivation process and a selection of recipes in which the local produce is used. There are also photographs of how the locals used to work in the fields in the past, as well as examples of some of the different varieties of rice grown here.

The second floor, meanwhile, is home to some of the machinery used in rice growing in the 19^th century in the rice mill of the Counts of Valle de San Juan. Seeding and harvesting tools are on display along with other items of interest donated by locals.

To buy Calasparra rice the best way is to visit the website of the local producers, although you can also find it in most good supermarkets and at other sites online!

 

Source: ITREM

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