On October 25th, we celebrate World Pasta Day to recognise the importance of this comfort food across the globe. But have you ever wondered how it came into existence? Today there are numerous options available in every region and pasta has become a go-to meal. However one cannot forget the contribution of Italians in making it a global food.
Pasta is synonymous with the cuisine of Italy and its deep-rooted passion for this dish spans centuries, predating even the Middle Ages. But how exactly did this love affair begin, and what is the real story behind the birth of pasta in Italy? Also Read: World Pasta Day 2024: 7 Chefs Share Their Special Pasta Recipes Of This Italian Favourite A Controversial Beginning The history of pasta is riddled with mystery and debate. A popular myth suggests that Marco Polo introduced pasta to Italy in the 13th century after his travels to China.
However, historians have long debunked this, as pasta was already present in Italy centuries before Polo’s time. Although the exact origin of pasta remains a topic of contention, there are a few theories. Some suggest that the Etruscans, an ancient civilization predating the Romans in central Italy, might have been the first to make pasta.
Evidence from an Etruscan tomb suggests they had tools resembling those used for pasta-making. Yet, this theory is tenuous. A more widely accepted explanation points to Arab traders who introduced pasta to Sicily in the 8th and 9th centuries.
They brought with them dri.
