Carb lovers can rejoice as October 25 is World Pasta Day, a day to appreciate pasta in all of its forms as well as its cultural and culinary importance.
While Italian cuisine is rich and varied in all its aspects, pasta has been its pride and glory throughout much of its history. With its versatility, pasta has become a staple in households across the world.
National Pasta Day was first celebrated in 1995 when 40 pasta producers from around the world gathered to hold the globe’s first World Pasta Congress which was held in Rome. The organisation have since continued to spread knowledge about pasta consumption among consumers and have promoted this day through a range of initiatives and campaigns.
Pasta Facts: Did you know?
Federico Fellini is quoted saying that ‘Life is a combination of magic and pasta.’ Here are 10 facts about pasta that have brought the magic of pasta to life:
- There is a belief in Greek mythology that the god Vulcan invented a device that made strings of dough. This mythology was the earliest reference to a pasta maker.
- Before machinery, pasta was kneaded by foot, often a process that took “a full day’s walking” to make.
- Penne, spaghetti and macaroni are the most popular types of pasta.
- ‘Spaghetto’ is the singular word for spaghetti. Generally speaking, Italian words ending in “O” are singular and words ending in “I” are plural.
- According to the International Pasta Organisation, Italians consume an average of 600 million kilometres of spaghetti per year. This would be enough to wrap the entire planet approximately 15,000 times.
- Pasta has been scientifically proven to make you happier. According to scientists, the carbohydrates in pasta increase the production of serotonin. This is a neurotransmitter that is believed to heighten feelings of happiness.
- On April 1 in 1957, the BBC tricked viewers into thinking that spaghetti grew on trees. The ‘spoof programme explained that severe frost can impair the flavour of spaghetti and how each strang of the pasta always grows to the same length. This is believed to be one of the first times television was used to orchestrate an April Fools Day hoax.
- Naturally, Italy eats the most pasta with 23.5 kilograms consumed per person, closely followed by Tunisia (17 kilograms), Venezuela (12 kilograms), Greece (11 kilograms), Chile (9.4 kilograms) and the United States (8.8 kilograms).
- There are over 600 shapes of pasta worldwide. Some pasta varieties are uniquely regional and not widely known. Many types have different names based on region or language. For example, the cut rotelle is also called ‘ruote’ in Italy whereas it is called ‘wagon wheels’ in the United States.
- Dry pasta used to be a luxury item in Italy due to the high labour costs, as the semolina had to be kneaded for a long time. After the industrial revolution in Naples, a mechanical process allowed for large scale production of dry pasta, it became more affordable and accessible.
Share the pasta love with a tasty discount
To celebrate World Pasta Day, we’re offering 20% off our frozen pasta ready meals from October 22nd until midnight on Monday 25th October. To make the most of this offer, use the promo code ‘Pasta20’ at the checkout.