Globally, the cultivated varieties are really many, hundreds of thousands, in Italy there are about 150.  It is normally consumed in whole grains but is also processed to obtain puffed rice, starch or flour, in turn declined in different types of products.

In terms of product, a classification is made according to the size of the grain and according to the tolerance limits allowed and established by law. In international trade, the distinction is mainly made according to the length of the grains.  The Italian legislation provides for 4 classes: Municipality or Tondo, Semifino, Fino and Superfino.

Common: it is a round rice with grains less than 5.2 mm long and with a ratio of length to width less than 2. Varieties included: Balilla, Helium and Selenium.

Semifino: is a medium rice with grains between 5.2 and 6.2 mm in length and width ratio less than 3. Varieties included: Argo, Cripto, Lido, Padano, Vialone Nano.

·              Up: it can be medium (Europe, Lotus, Riva) or long type A (Aries, Deer, Dragon, Ribe, Sant'Andrea). In the latter case, the grains are longer than 6 mm and have a length to width ratio between 2 and 3.

Superfino: long rice type A (Arborio, Baldo, Carnaroli, Roma, Volano) or type B with length to width ratio