Orzo is a type of small pasta shaped like a large grain of rice or barley. Despite its rice-like appearance, orzo is not rice but pasta made primarily from durum wheat semolina flour and water, sometimes with egg yolk added for richness
. The name "orzo" comes from the Italian word for barley, reflecting its shape rather than its ingredients
. Orzo is popular in Mediterranean cuisines, including Greek (where it is called kritharáki), Turkish, Egyptian, Spanish, and French dishes, often used in soups, stews, salads, pilafs, or baked casseroles
. It cooks similarly to other pasta, typically boiling for 7-10 minutes until tender but still slightly firm
. In summary:
- Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta made from durum wheat semolina
- It is used in a variety of dishes such as soups, salads, and pilafs across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines
- Orzo is not gluten-free unless specifically made with gluten-free ingredients
- It is versatile and can be served as a side dish or incorporated into main meals
Thus, orzo is a pasta variety valued for its shape and texture, often mistaken for rice but fundamentally a wheat-based pasta product.
