You ask me why I buy rice and flowers?
I buy rice to live and flowers to have something to live for.
Rice
Rice (
riz; 
arroz) is the principal food for over half the Earth population, being the most important crop, grown principally in India and China. It is comparatively less used in Europe, although it is an highlight in Italy (Risotto) and Spain (Paella). It has been cultivated for over 7000 years and came to Europe probably from Alexander the Great's campaign in India (so through Greece).
Spanish rice
Moors introduced rice (ar-ruzz) to Spain c. eighth century when they took control of the peninsula. is is mainly grown in l'Albufera de València (lagoon). The best Spanish rice is arguably the arroz bomba, especially for paella, as it keeps its shape and consistency as it cooks. Also famous and possibly even better is the Calasparra rice grown in Murcia, this time in the mountains as opposed to a lagoon in Valencia. It absorbs more water and also a great product for paellas.
Although paella is the most famous Spanish dish, especially internationally, there are many other famous (nationally) rice dishes in Spain, including Arroz caldoso and Arroz al horno.
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