40 Interesting Noodle Facts We Bet You Had No Idea About!

Noodles have been a popular food for centuries.

Noodles are a staple food around the world in places such as China, Italy, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and India, and there are endless noodle varieties and dishes. Noodles are extremely popular in the US with millions of people eating them regularly.

Noodles are just the best! They are versatile, nutritious, and easy to make. There is so much more to noodles than what people think. Asian noodles are largely made of wheat dough. Egg noodles are also famous in some countries.

Noodles are one of the most versatile types of food that are available. They are eaten in so many different ways around the world and there is a huge choice of type of noodle that you can eat. They are so versatile and there are so many different types, the possibilities are nearly endless. Whether you like Asian-style noodles, Chinese noodles, or Italian-style, noodles can be found in almost any recipe and at nearly any restaurant. They are filling and delicious, and a great alternative to rice and potatoes.

Today, we enjoy noodles in many different forms: ramen, cup noodles, udon, soba, cellophane, rice noodles, and even glass noodles. This article will explore the world of noodles. Here are some facts about noodles that you may not know.

History And Origin Of Noodles

Noodles are a favorite among many people and some people eat noodles all the time but do you know a lot about the history of noodles and the different types of noodles around the world?

• Noodles are one of the oldest known foods.
• The word 'noodle' was first used in 1765.
• The first noodle machine was invented in 1833.
• The oldest recorded appearance of noodles dates back to Chinese legend where the Chinese Emperor Huangdi and his people consumed a noodle dish made from millet around 2000 B.C.
• Noodles were sold as a luxury item, but nowadays they’re so affordable that they’ve become one of Asia’s most popular take-out food items.
• Although noodles were invented in China, the first instant ramen noodle were Japanese noodles created by the inventor, Momofuku Ando.
• First created in the 19th century by the Hakumen company, the instant ramen noodle (which, by the way, do not have plastic) have been a staple food among travelers, college students, and others worldwide.
• The invention of this beloved noodle is credited to a Japanese entrepreneur.
• Instant noodles were first consumed in space by Major Tom as part of his Soyuz TM-34 mission aboard the Mir space station on August 6, 1995, while serving as a member of a six-person multinational crew under an international agreement between Russia and Japan.
• It became the first kind of noodles to be consumed in space, thus contributing hugely to the world's understanding of human digestion.
• To the Chinese, who have a long history of noodles, it was after World War Two that they became integral to their food history.

Types Of Noodles

There are so many kinds of noodles including some that are made from apples, sweet potatoes, and even carrots. China produces the largest amount of noodles.  Know amazing facts about the different types here.

• Noodles are available in more than 30 varieties in different parts of the world.
• Egg noodles, udon noodles, mung bean thread noodles, Hokkien noodles, ramen noodle dishes, rice stick noodles, soba noodles, and Shirataki noodles are some of the types.
• In terms of shapes, the types are categorized as spaghethi, cavatappi, tagliattelle, penne, maccheroni, farfalle, conchiglie, fusilli, anelli, rigatoni, and lasagna (rolled flat).
• If you’ve ever seen numbers on the side of a package of spaghetti in a grocery store, those numbers are to measure the thickness of individual strands (and the smaller the number, the thinner the strand).
• There are many instant noodles available in the market now, like cup noodles, and instant ramen noodles.
• In some countries, even fried noodles, deep-fried noodles, and stir-fried dishes are available in many forms as street food.
• Noodles are made from different ingredients like wheat flour noodles, rice noodles, and semolina.
• They are also classified as per country like Filipino noodles, Korean noodles, Chinese noodles, Asian pan-fried noodles, and Reshteh noodles which come from Iran, Instant Ramen noodles from Japan but there are also so many more varieties.

Cooking Time And Shelf Life Of Noodles

You've probably heard of the recent noodle craze that is gripping the world. In China, they have funky shapes that are fun to eat, while Korean noodles are spicy, and they are made out of rice. Let's see what makes them so unique and delicious.

• Noodles that are dried will last for a far longer time past their 'best by' date than fresh ones. For example, dried noodles can last for up to two years after their best by date.
• In contrast, fresh noodles will only last for about four to five days in the same case scenario.
• The shelf life of noodles depends on quite a few factors, such as what date is on each package and how the noodle has been stored.
• It's important as you take inventory of your stock to note exactly what type of product you have so that you can properly manage it!
• You can help noodles stay fresh longer by storing them in their original packaging in your pantry.
• Once cooked, the noodles should be kept in an air-tight container so that they are away from any moisture content and any form of contamination.
• For a longer-term option, you can freeze noodles by storing them in an airtight container.
• As long as the noodles are still cool when frozen, their taste will remain stable when you thaw them.
• Freezing is an indefinite type of storage, but cooked noodles begin to dry out when frozen for too long.
• It's hard to say exactly how long it will take for noodles to be cooked but you can use steam, water, or cooking oil to cook them.
• Cooking time depends on factors like the thickness of the noodles as well as the temperature of your water. For example, some companies may have used a larger noodle cutter which in turn could mean your noodles are thinner and, therefore, easier to cook.
• However, if you've used dry noodles that come in different increments such as small, medium, or large, then there will be a difference between cooking time based on their size and shape.
• Therefore, you need to make sure you're checking your noodles after approximately four minutes so you know when they are done boiling, being careful not to let them over-cook or burn.
• If using fresh noodles, then depending on its thickness, and a few other factors like how fast your water is boiling or if you added oil into your pot when cooking, it just might take only a minute or two.

Nutritional Value Of Noodles

Cooking noodles is one of those things you can do very quickly and that too in a variety of ways. It is also a very healthy option and that goes for noodles from other countries too. Let's look at some of the noodles from different countries and what makes them so tasty.

• Noodles are an excellent source of amino acids and vitamins that help us in the prevention of birth defects, heart diseases, and aging.
• Noodles contain high levels of raw fiber that can help the digestive process and reduce the body's cholesterol level.
• Noodles are a great source of energy and contain a range of vitamins and minerals including iron, thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin
• Noodles also have a low sodium content and are free of high-fat contents that could lead to weight gain if it is consumed over a long time.
• Instant noodles differ in their nutritional value from brand to brand.
• One study shows that noodle consumers can benefit from increased absorption of nutrients like thiamine and riboflavin when consuming instant noodles regularly. For example, a previous study showed that more than 6000 people who ate instant noodles for at least two years had an average of 13% less cholesterol and nearly 30% fewer triglycerides in their blood compared to an otherwise comparable group whose regular eating habit was not the consumption of instant noodles.
• White rice noodles are perfect for those who are watching their carbohydrate consumption.
• One cup of these noodles, which has been cooked with water, contains 1.55 oz (44 gm) of carbohydrates in the form of glucose, which means that the body breaks them down into sugar quickly.

Noodles are just one of the many types of foods that we enjoy very much here in the United States. They are usually made from certain types of starchy vegetables and can be enjoyed in several ways. From a quick meal to a slow, relaxing dinner, there are plenty of options for you to enjoy noodles. The next time you're in the mood for a quick meal, consider making some noodles.

You may also like to know that March 11 is celebrated as national 'Eat Your Noodles' day. October 6 is National Noodle Day, and December 11 is National Noodle Ring Day.

We hope you enjoyed our article about noodles. With so many different types of noodles to try, it’s hard to decide which one you like best. We hope that you will be able to find some new noodle varieties that you like, or enjoy the instant ramen noodles or Vietnamese noodles you already eat even more! So what are you waiting for? Go out and find the perfect noodle for you!