Organic Rice

Discover certified organic European rice grown on the Hungarian Great Plain, including white rice, white rice flour, wholegrain brown rice and brown rice flour.

Produced by specialist Hungarian rice grower Valoryz and selected for the Monika’s Kitchen range, these medium-grain rices combine clear provenance, reliable cooking performance and naturally good texture with independently verified organic certification.

What Is Organic Rice?

Organic rice is grown according to certified organic farming standards, which restrict the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers and prohibit genetically modified organisms.

Instead, organic growers rely on practices such as crop rotation, careful variety selection, biological pest management and responsible soil and water management.

Our rice is cultivated on the Hungarian Great Plain, where the flat landscape, warm summers and established rice-growing areas provide favourable conditions for cultivation. The paddies also provide habitat for water birds and other wildlife.

Why Choose European Rice?

Most rice sold in the UK is grown much farther afield, particularly in Asia. Choosing European-grown rice offers a shorter, more transparent supply chain, with cultivation and processing in Europe.

Because the rice travels from Hungary rather than being shipped intercontinentally from Asia, it avoids long-distance sea transport before reaching the UK.

European production also provides clear provenance and traceability from grower to finished product.

Naturally High in Fibre and Protein

The nutritional profile of our rice is one of the features that sets it apart.

Our organic white rice contains 8.8g protein and 7.9g fibre per 100g, while our organic brown rice contains 7.8g protein and 10.5g fibre per 100g. These figures compare favourably with many commonly available organic rice products in the UK, particularly for fibre.

Brown rice retains the outer bran layer, giving it a fuller texture and naturally higher fibre content, while white rice offers a softer, lighter texture and quicker cooking time.

For gluten-free baking and everyday cooking, explore our organic rice flour collection, including stone-ground superfine white and brown rice flour made from the same Hungarian-grown organic rice.

Personally Selected Organic Rice

The organic rice in the Monika’s Kitchen range is personally selected and kitchen-tested by Monika Gyenes for flavour, texture and reliable cooking performance.

Inspired in part by her father’s stories about the early development of rice growing on the Great Hungarian Plain, Monika sought out a specialist Hungarian producer when she decided to introduce organic rice to the range.

She chose the family-owned Valoryz, founded by Károly Valentinyi, whose involvement in Hungarian rice cultivation stretches back to the mid-1980s. Valoryz has since developed its own rice varieties and is involved not only in cultivation and processing, but also in rice variety maintenance and development.

Its proprietary Fruzsina M variety was developed with partners and is now in commercial cultivation. Today, Károly and his daughter Fruzsina jointly lead the business, working with local growers while maintaining close control over cultivation, processing, and quality.

Monika uses the rice in her own kitchen as part of the selection process, helping ensure that the products chosen for Monika’s Kitchen combine provenance, organic production and dependable quality.

Low Arsenic & Independently Tested

Valoryz uses an advanced cultivation system called AWD (Alternate Wetting and Drying), also known as intermittent irrigation, that avoids continuous flooding, an approach associated with lower arsenic uptake in rice compared with traditional permanently flooded paddies. Independent laboratory analysis of Valoryz white rice recorded 0.078 mg/kg inorganic arsenic, with cadmium and lead below the laboratory’s reporting limits, adding another layer of reassurance about product purity.

Award-Winning Organic Rice

Both Valoryz Organic White Rice and Valoryz Organic Brown Rice were recognised by the Great Taste Awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, which independently assesses the rice's flavour and texture.

View Best of Hungary’s Great Taste-recognised products in the official Guild of Fine Food directory

Recyclable Paper Packaging

Our rice is packed in 100% recyclable, plastic-free paper packaging, helping reduce unnecessary plastic while keeping the product simple and practical to store.

Beyond Organic Rice

Following the success of our Hungarian organic rice, Valoryz expanded its range to include organic millet, another grain grown on the Hungarian Great Plain.

After tasting and testing it in her own kitchen, Monika added both whole millet and millet flour to the Monika’s Kitchen range as versatile options for porridge, side dishes and gluten-free cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between organic white rice and organic brown rice?

White rice has a lighter flavour, a softer texture, and a shorter cooking time. Brown rice retains its natural bran layer, giving it a nuttier wholegrain character, more fibre and a firmer bite.

Which organic rice is best for everyday meals?

Organic white rice is a versatile choice for quick side dishes, curries and creamy recipes. Choose organic brown rice when you prefer a fuller wholegrain flavour and a more substantial texture.

Is your organic rice naturally gluten-free?

Yes. Rice is naturally gluten-free. Please see the individual product page for full ingredient, processing and allergen information.

How is your organic rice certified?

Our rice is certified organic in Hungary under the EU organic control system by Biokontroll Hungária Nonprofit Kft. (HU-ÖKO-01). Best of Hungary is independently certified by Soil Association Certification under licence DC30208 to import and distribute organic products in the UK, helping maintain organic integrity from producer to customer.

View Best of Hungary’s current Soil Association organic certificate.