Rice farming in Florida? Yes it's a thing at Congaree and Penn
Shane Richeson
When I think of rice farming, it definitely does not have Florida in the picture. Most of the rice I have used in the commercial kitchen world was from another country. When I was working in San Fransisco, I had the opportunity to cook with some amazing California grown rice. However, once I left to come back home to Tampa, it was back to the asian market purchases. I do love new crop, jasmine rice from Thailand a lot. Several years ago, I walked into A Simpler Place Market and saw this mini burlap sack encased rice grown in Northern Florida. I bought a bag, took it home, cooked up a small batch and ate it with just a touch of salt, and little bit of rice vinegar. Just enough to heighten the flavor profile. I was hooked. The Jupiter Brown rice is still to this day, one of the most flavorful rice varieties I have ever tried. Of course, I needed to try another bag of something different. Congaree and Penn’s Midd Linns transformed into the best risotto experience. Move over Arborio!
Straight from the Farmers:
We’re a Florida farm dedicated to agriculture & culinary endeavors, and gathering the community to enjoy both.