People had been eating pasta for thousands of years before anyone ever thought to add tomato sauce. This is mainly because tomatoes are not native to Europe, and weren’t introduced to the continent until Spanish explorer Cortez brought tomatoes from Mexico to Europe in 1519. Tomatoes and pasta soon became an iconic combination in Italy, and it was only a matter of time before meatballs were thrown into the mix.
600 Different Shapes:
According to the International Pasta Organization, there are more more than 600 different shapes of pasta produced throughout the world.
Italians Eat the Most Pasta:
As you’d expect, Italy is the country that eats the greatest amount of pasta worldwide. As you might not expect, however, the #2 and #3 countries that eat the most pasta are Venezuela and Tunisia. Who knew?
Different Meanings of the Word 'Pasta':
The word 'pasta' actually has its origins in Greek and Latin and literally means “barley porridge” in Greek, and “dough pastry cake” in Latin. In Italian, however, the word means “paste” due to the way pasta is made, primarily by mixing water and flour along with other ingredients, such as eggs and olive oil.
Eating pasta will make you happier! It’s true — the carbohydrates in pasta increase the body’s production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that scientists believe trigger feelings of happiness and well-being.
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