Fun Facts About Pasta: World Pasta Day Spcl

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Pasta is one Italian dish which is loved by many. But did you know pasta is not originated from Italy? Yes, it is a surprise to many. Pasta originated in China! There is a popular myth that pasta was introduced to Italy by the famous traveller Marco Polo upon his return from China in the 13th century. But definitely, Italy takes the credit of making pasta famous all over the world with the development of pasta manufacturing technique and the culinary combinations.

It is an interesting thing to know that originally pasta was made by hand. The first pasta making machine was developed only in the 18th century by Ferdinando II, the King of Naples. At first, dry pasta was a luxury item in Italy because the cost of manufacturing pasta was high. After Industrial Revolution, pasta became affordable and popular among the common people.

Since today is World Pasta Day, we will share with you some fun facts related to pasta that you have never heard of. Have a look and know more about your favourite Italian dish, pasta.

1. There are over 600 different kinds of pasta available throughout the world. They are mostly available in two forms: fresh (like ravioli and canelloni) or dried (like spaghetti and penne).
2. An average person in Italy eats more than 51 pounds of pasta every year.
3. Spinach is used to make pasta green, tomato is used to make it red and squid ink is used to make pasta grey in colour. Yes, grey coloured pasta also exists!
4. Pasta and tomatoes go hand in hand. Interestingly though, tomatoes did come into use while cooking pasta until the late 1600s. Before this tomatoes were considered poisonous.
5. To cook one billion pounds of pasta we will need 2,021,452,000 gallons of water which is enough to fill 75,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.
6. A variety of pasta is known as 'cellophane' because it becomes transparent when cooked.
7. The top quality pasta is made from the durum wheat which is found in North Dakota region of the US.
8. In the 13th Century, the Pope set quality standards for the pasta.
9. Christopher Columbus, one of the greatest Italian explorer and pastaphiles, was born in October, the National Pasta Month.
10. The Chinese are on record for having eaten pasta as early as 5000 B.C.

These were a few interesting facts about pasta. So, celebrate the World Pasta Day today by preparing at least one dish of pasta.