15 Fun Facts about Pasta & Amazing Pasta Trivia

Pasta, the most staple food in Italian Cuisine is loved by many. However, how many of us know the history of pasta? Did you know that the 1st mention of pasta dates back to the "Tabula Rogeriana" (one of the most detailed pre-modern world maps) by Arabian Cartographer Muhammad Al-Idrisi in the year 1154 referring to the town of Trabia - Sicily?

There are a lot of interesting facts about pasta that remain unknown. Moreover, creepy or fun pasta facts, these are absolutely a must read. So, ready to know these facts about pasta?

1. Pasta pronounced as Pah-stuh is the Italian word for dough. Moreover, the dough contains Flour, water, salt and eggs.

2. Types of pasta: 

There are more than 600 varieties of pasta worldwide!! Some common pasta shapes are Fusilli, Gometi, Gemelli, Ruote, Penne, Farfalle and spaghetti.

3. As a matter of fact, there are two types of pasta.

• Fresh Pasta (PASTA FRESCA) with delicate texture and
• Dried Pasta (PASTA SECCA) with a firm texture

4. An average Italian eats 26 Kg of Pasta annually. A great pasta trivia question, isn't it?

5. Originally Pasta:

• Was eaten by hand as back then only the wealthy could afford utensils.
• Was eaten plain without sauces
• Was considered a blue-collar workers food as it was cheap and easily prepared.

6. Top quality pasta is made from Durum Wheat. In addition, durum wheat is the hardest wheat known to man. This gives pasta its yellow amber color, enjoyable nutty flavor and the ability to retain both shape and firmness when cooked.

7. Further, pasta is best cooked to AL DENTE "To the Tooth" which means firm yet tender when eaten.

8. The ingredients of a basic pasta dish are cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, garlic, basil leaves, shallots, Olives and Olive Oil.

Also Read: Easy DIY Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipe

9. Pasta can be prepared in the following styles:

• Baked - Pasta Al Forno
• Soup based - Pasta A Minestra
• Sauce based - Pasta Asciutta

10. The pasta shape determines the pairing sauce. Simple shapes with thin sauces and complex shapes with thick sauces is a general rule that is followed.

11. Colored pasta reflects from the color of combining natural flavoring. To this effect, green color is from Spinach, Orange color is from Carrots and Black color from Squid ink.

12. World Pasta Day:
October 25th is celebrated as World Pasta Day.

13. The three most popular pasta dishes are Spaghetti Bolognese, Macaroni and Cheese and Lasagna

14. The top 3 producers of pasta in the world are Italy, USA and Brazil.

15. Pasta Nutrition Facts:

• Pasta is a good source of folic acid which is a key nutrient in a woman's childbearing years.
• Pasta is a low-fat and high-carbohydrate food.
• Lycopene, a naturally abundant antioxidant found in tomatoes is another benefit to eating pasta topped with the traditional sauce.
• Pasta contributes six of the eight essential amino acids to the diet; however, when combined with dairy, meat, or other complementary protein foods, the protein available is a complete protein containing all the essential amino acids.

Want a cheat sheet on pasta facts for a handy reference?  We have made a special info-graphic on pasta facts. download it, print it or just look at it….cos as one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers of the 20th century Federico Fellini once said "Life is a combination of magic and pasta".

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