Who is this guide for?

Anyone making a rice dessert

For rice pudding, rice cake or dessert pots, look for the words “short-grain rice” or “for desserts”. Taureau Ailé and Lidl both use short-grain rice in their rice pudding recipes.

Anyone planning several dishes

If you’re using the rice for several festive desserts, compare the 500 g and 1 kg packs available from retailers such as Carrefour and Auchan with the quantities in your recipes and the space in your cupboard.

Anyone who cares about where their rice comes from

If Camargue provenance or a geographical indication matters for your menu, also check that the product is short-grain rice. Taureau Ailé and E.Leclerc offer products with both of these features.

What should you check?

For a Christmas dessert, check the type of rice first, then work out how much you need. Origin and whether you can store the rest of the pack may also help you decide.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Type of rice For a recipe that uses uncooked rice, look for “short-grain rice” and, if possible, “for desserts” on the pack. I want to make rice pudding using a recipe that calls for short-grain rice, rather than choosing a pack based on its size alone; around 36% of consumers would prioritise this cooking requirement.
Quantity Compare the total amount required by your recipes with the 500 g and 1 kg pack sizes. Taureau Ailé’s baked rice pudding recipe calls for 200 g of short-grain rice for 6 to 8 people. If I’m planning several dishes, I want to buy the right amount without leaving a large pack half-used; this would be the priority for around 29% of consumers.
Origin Check the origin or geographical indication separately from the description of the grain. For my festive menu, I want a product associated with Camargue while still choosing short-grain rice for the recipe; around 21% of consumers would prioritise this.
Product and storage Check that it’s dry rice grains, then follow the storage instructions on the pack. I want to avoid mistaking a ready-made dish for an ingredient I need to cook, and be able to store the remaining rice somewhere dry; around 14% of consumers would put this precaution first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing a larger pack without checking the type of rice

    The pack size doesn’t tell you whether the rice is right for your dessert. Carrefour and Auchan both offer products clearly labelled as short-grain rice for desserts.

    Start with the description specified in your recipe, then choose between 500 g and 1 kg.

  • Confusing dry rice with ready-to-eat rice

    Taureau Ailé and Lidl’s rice pudding recipes use short-grain rice that needs cooking. A ready-made dessert, microwave rice or tinned rice may not follow the same steps.

    To make a dessert from scratch, check that you’re buying dry rice grains and read the product instructions.

  • Opening a 1 kg pack without planning how to store it

    A 1 kg pack is best if you have other uses for the rice and somewhere suitable to store what’s left. Auchan’s short-grain rice for desserts should be kept away from heat and moisture, according to its product details.

    Check the instructions on the pack and keep any remaining rice in a clean, sealed container.

  • Confusing a best-before date with a use-by date

    A best-before date is not the same as a use-by date. The DGCCRF says that a product may be used after its best-before date if the packaging is intact, although some of its qualities may have deteriorated.

    Before using a pack that’s been stored for a long time, check which type of date is shown, make sure the packaging is in good condition and follow the storage instructions.

Brands and retailers to know

Carrefour

Carrefour offers 500 g tins of short-grain rice for desserts. This size is worth comparing with the amount you need for a one-off dish.

  • The product details specify “short-grain rice for desserts” and a 500 g pack.
  • Check the details of the product available at your local store before adding it to your basket.

Auchan

Auchan offers 1 kg packs of short-grain rice for desserts, as well as another 500 g dessert rice product.

  • The 1 kg product details state that it’s 100% short-grain rice, from the EU and made in France.
  • For this pack size, follow the instructions to store it away from heat and moisture.

Taureau Ailé

Taureau Ailé offers short-grain rice associated with Camargue and a PGI, and shares a rice pudding recipe that uses this type of grain.

  • The brand’s baked rice pudding recipe uses 200 g of short-grain rice for 6 to 8 people.
  • The brand describes its short-grain rice as having a soft, creamy texture. This is Taureau Ailé’s description, not the result of an independent comparison.

E.Leclerc

E.Leclerc offers several types of short-grain rice, including 1 kg packs and 500 g packs of white Camargue PGI rice.

  • The 1 kg products include Eco+ and Comptoir du Grain.
  • If origin matters to you, check that the specific product you choose carries the Camargue PGI label.

Lidl

Lidl shares a French rice pudding recipe that uses short-grain rice. It can help you check what type of grain the dessert calls for.

  • The recipe distinguishes uncooked short-grain rice from the finished dessert.
  • When shopping, choose a product based on its description and the instructions on the packaging.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What rice should I choose for Christmas rice pudding?

Choose dry short-grain rice, and look for a “for desserts” label if you want a clear product description. Taureau Ailé and Lidl’s rice pudding recipes both use short-grain rice. Then check the quantities and steps in your own recipe.

Is a 500 g pack enough for a festive dessert?

Yes, if your recipe calls for no more than that amount. For comparison, Taureau Ailé’s baked rice pudding recipe uses 200 g of short-grain rice for 6 to 8 people. Work out what you need based on your recipe and how many dishes you’re planning to make.

Can tinned or microwave rice replace dry rice?

Not necessarily in a recipe that calls for uncooked short-grain rice. Ready-to-eat products may have different ingredients and instructions, so check the product description and preparation method before considering a substitution.

What does a best-before date mean on a pack of rice?

A best-before date is different from a use-by date. According to the DGCCRF, a product may be used after its best-before date if the packaging is intact, although it may lose some of its qualities. Also check the product’s condition and the storage instructions on the pack.