Imbued with the special characteristics of the lands from which they come, each of Lotus Food's heirloom and new rice varietals has a unique flavor and an excellent nutritional profile that can be attributed both to the place and the sustainable way it is grown. This is the "terroir" of their rices. Terroir was originally a French term in wine and coffee appreciation used to denote the unique traits of geography that bestowed individuality upon the food product. It can be loosely translated to "a sense of place." Elements that make up the terroir include climate, geography, topography, soil conditions, and even the soul of the grower.