61 Fascinating Facts About Pasta That You Did Not Know
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Spaghetti is one of the most popular forms of pasta in modern times.
The creamy sauces, sautéed with some olive oil, will make your day brighter. Although pasta is the staple food of Italy, it might as well be the staple food of many of us.
Pasta became famous in the world as Italian cuisine, but now chefs across the world are giving it their own twist. But is pasta really an Italian discovery? There are many interesting facts about pasta that you need to know. So, read on to learn some interesting pasta facts!
If you enjoyed reading this article, also check out these spaghetti noodle nutrition facts and noodle nutrition facts.
Fun Facts About Pasta
There are some fun facts about pasta that could surprise you. Let us get to know some of them:
Pasta is widely seen as a typical Italian food all around the world. But the fact is that the origin of pasta is actually in China. There are many pasta shapes. According to the international pasta organization, there are about 600 shapes of pasta!
Each region of a country has a different name for pasta as well, so you will actually find over 1300 names for pasta from around the world. The word 'pasta' means 'paste' in Italian and 'dough pastry cake' in Latin. Pasta was introduced to America by Thomas Jefferson.
He had macaroni from Naples and fell in love with the food. With his help, America fell in love with food in 1789. The person who originally invented pasta is still not an agreed-upon fact.
Tomato sauce is a popular combination with pasta. But the combination of tomato sauce and pasta came when tomatoes were exported from Mexico to Europe. People have started to experiment with these two items. Macaroni was not pasta at the beginning. It was only in the ’80s that macaroni became part of the pasta family.
Nutritional Facts About Pasta
While pasta is often seen as a fast food, there are many health benefits that one can gain by eating pasta. What are some of the nutritional benefits of pasta consumption?
Most pasta dishes are accompanied by nutrition-rich vegetables, meat, fish, and other food items. By eating pasta, there is an increase in folic acid in the body.
One serving of pasta contains around 25% of the recommended folic acid intake for a daily diet. Pasta also breaks down into glucose, which serves as an energy source for the whole day.
Pasta is also a great food that keeps blood sugar levels in check. Pasta is also low in sodium, so you won't feel bloated after eating it. It is also cholesterol-free.
But the main reason why pasta is a good choice for nutrition is due to the other foods that are eaten along with the dish. Most pasta recipes have meat, fish, vegetables, or fruits in them. Through such a pasta dish, the pasta is becoming a delivery means for all these nutrients for both adults and children.
Interesting Facts About Pasta
Did you ever feel happy when eating pasta? That is not only because of the taste but also due to the carbohydrates in the pasta. Carbohydrates increase the production of serotonin, which makes a person happier.
The al dente method of cooking pasta is seen in Italian cooking methods. The pasta is firm and tender through this. But in ancient history, pasta was cooked for a longer period of time.
Italy is crazy about pasta, and it shows. Italian countries top the list for eating the most pasta. Italy is also the world's biggest market for pasta, which is no surprise by now.
It is used as a staple food in almost all Italian cuisines. The pasta is made from flour known as 'durum wheat flour'.
Most kinds of pasta contain only two ingredients: flour and water. Fresh pasta, egg noodles, and some varieties of pasta also contain eggs. October 25 is an important day for all pasta lovers; it is World Pasta Day.
Did you know these pasta facts?
Did you know that pasta is used to make desserts? There is also chocolate pasta and other dessert pasta available in many restaurants.
The pasta was first mentioned in a book that dates back to 1154. All pasta is loved, but the most popular ones are penne, spaghetti, and macaroni. Pasta is served in many ways.
It is either used with a sauce or in soup. It is also baked. Ancient Romans were known to fry their pasta.
Cooked pasta can be frozen to eat within three months. Italy exports tones of pasta every year. There is a National Pasta Association that consists of people who enjoy pasta, and they like to discuss different kinds of pasta too.
Even though Italy and pasta are always seen together, the Guinness world record for the largest bowl of pasta goes to Poland. In 2015, 40 chefs took 19 hours to prepare this large pasta.
The famous British chef, Gordon Ramsay, also holds the record for the longest pasta sheet rolled in 60 seconds. This Italian cuisine became a world favorite in a short period of time.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 61 fascinating facts about pasta that you did not know then why not take a look at pepperoni nutrition facts, or mozzarella nutrition facts.
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Bachelors in Business Administration
Aashita DhingraBachelors in Business Administration
Based in Lucknow, India, Aashita is a skilled content creator with experience crafting study guides for high school-aged kids. Her education includes a degree in Business Administration from St. Mary's Convent Inter College, which she leverages to bring a unique perspective to her work. Aashita's passion for writing and education is evident in her ability to craft engaging content.
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