Duru Baldo Rice – 1 kg

Ask a Turkish cook which rice makes the best pilav and many will answer without hesitation: baldo rice. This 1kg pack from Duru contains plump, pearly grains that cook up soft and glossy while staying separate, giving you that classic buttery pilaf you find in Turkish homes and lokantas.

What Is Baldo Rice?

Baldo is a medium to long grain variety originally developed in Italy, where it is prized for risotto. In Turkey it has become one of the most popular choices for everyday cooking, grown mainly in the Thrace region in the north-west of the country. The grains are larger and rounder than basmati, with a high starch content that helps them absorb flavour from butter, stock and spices.

That combination makes it a favourite Turkish rice for dishes where you want tender, flavourful grains with a bit of body, rather than the light, dry texture of long grain rice.

Made for Pilav

A good Turkish pilav is all about technique and the right grain, and getting both right is a point of pride in many households. As a pilav rice, baldo rice is forgiving and reliable, absorbing water evenly and finishing with a satisfying, slightly creamy bite.

Classic Turkish Pilav

1. Rinse one cup of rice, then soak it in warm salted water for 20 minutes and drain well.
2. Melt a generous knob of butter in a pan and fry a handful of orzo or vermicelli until golden.
3. Add the drained rice and stir for a couple of minutes until the grains look translucent at the edges.
4. Pour in one and a half cups of hot stock or water, add salt and bring to the boil.
5. Cover, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook for about 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
6. Turn off the heat, place a clean tea towel under the lid and leave to rest for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

More Ways to Use It

• Fill peppers, tomatoes, courgettes and vine leaves for homemade dolma.
• Make a creamy risotto, as the variety was originally bred to do.
• Cook sütlaç, the much-loved Turkish rice pudding.
• Add to soups such as yayla çorbası or tomato soup for extra body.
• Prepare iç pilav with pine nuts, currants and spices for special occasions.

Why Choose Duru?

Duru is one of Turkey's best-known names for pulses and grains, and Duru rice is packed with care so the grains arrive clean, whole and consistent in size. That consistency matters, because evenly sized grains cook evenly, giving you a better pilav every time. The 1kg pack is a sensible size for families who cook rice several times a week, and it stores well in the cupboard.

Storage

Keep in a cool, dry place in a sealed container once opened, away from moisture and strong smells. Always follow the best before date on the pack, and keep the bag sealed so pantry moths cannot get in.

Order Baldo Rice Online

Robin Food delivers Turkish pantry staples across the UK, with same-day delivery available in many London postcodes. Stock up alongside our coarse bulgur, Koçbaşı chickpeas and stuffed vine leaves for a full Turkish table.