Stretchy, delicious, and versatile; these words describe noodles and pasta, staples that have been part of diets worldwide for centuries (perhaps millennia). Every day, countless people around the world enjoy pasta with savory sauces (like homemade pesto sauce that transforms pasta)! Meanwhile, oodles of noodles are enjoyed by others daily, whether it’s eaten with delicious soups or flavorful stir-fries. While these two carb-filled staples share some similarities, they’re fundamentally distinct, right down to their origins. However, their roots may be different, but what came first—oodles of noodles or plentiful pasta? Delve into the history to find out!
Do Noodles And Pasta Share The Same Origins?
Due to their similarities, it’s natural to believe that pasta and noodles may have originated from the exact origins. A commonly held belief is that the famous explorer—Marco Polo—introduced pasta to Italy after traveling to China. Likewise, the popular belief is that pasta originated from China’s noodles. After trying these noodles, Marco Polo would journey to Venice and share his discovery, which caught like wildfire.
Unfortunately, though this story is interesting, it’s simply a myth. Marco Polo didn’t bring pasta to Italy because it’s already existed there! Reportedly, pasta has been eaten for millennia, way before Marco Polo’s time. Researchers found machines that resemble pasta-making machines inside 4th-century Etruscan tombs from La Tomb Dei Rilievi in Cerveteri near Rome. Though the Etruscan community is shrouded in some mystery, their pasta-making devices resemble the machines used in many kitchens today. Even around 1000 to 800 BC, Ancient Greek civilizations created flat pasta strips sliced into thin strips, known as laganon. Ancient Romans adopted the laganon to be used in savory soups containing chickpeas and leek. They would call it laganae (the plural form).
- Did You Know? There are over 300 varieties of pasta, and it’s not only limited to thin and long shapes! Pasta shapes can include hollow (bucatini), flat (Fettucine), long (spaghetti), short (penne), butterfly (farfalle), ear-shaped, tubular (rigatoni), and stuffed (like ravioli with unique fillings for pasta lovers)!
Thanks to the English, the pasta was introduced to the New World (i.e., America). Pasta even existed during the ancient and Medieval periods. Cooks mixed pasta with spices like saffron, pepper, and onion for savory flavors. Meanwhile, sweet-flavored pasta was added with honey, nuts, or cheese. Europeans and Christians indulged in pasta during the season of Lent, where Christians ate it with cheese (in place of meat).
Centuries later, the first pasta machine would come to America in 1787 by the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Then, in 1848, the first record of industrial pasta was seen in America, whereby a Frenchman spread spaghetti strands on top of the roof to try. Since then, pasta skyrocketed into popularity, both in America and worldwide!
The History Of Noodles
Though noodles and pasta share some similarities, they are fundamentally different. When describing the traditional Italian “noodles,” pasta is made with ground durum, wheat, or semolina flour mixed with eggs and water (sometimes milk is added). These ingredients are rolled carefully and pressed into different shapes. Meanwhile, noodles are an ancient food often linked to Asian cuisine. Noodles are made with many grains like millet, wheat, rice, mung bean, potato, or yam flour.
Noodles have been a staple of Chinese cuisine for thousands of years, as early as 3000 BC. In fact, in 2005, researchers found 4,000-year-old millet noodles within an upturned clay bowl in Northwestern China. The noodles were so well preserved they retained their thin shape and yellow color. The researchers even discovered that the noodles were pulled by hand! Even today, like the skill of past imperial chefs, some cooks can make homemade noodles by hand-pulling wheat dough.
- Did You Know? The 4,000-year-old noodles were unearthed at an archaeological site known as Lajia. Similar to Pompeii, the civilization of Lajia were “trapped in time” when they were hit with a natural disaster. In this case, they suffered a mudslide that buried the society. It would be thousands of years later when archaeologists would discover this fascinating civilization.
Noodles became popular outside of China thanks to the Silk Road, along trade routes that connected Europe and China. While carrying noodles, travelers and backpackers alike moved spices, meats, and other delights from China to Europe (and vice-versa). Even during the 13th century, Marco Polo spread the word about noodles after his extensive travels to China!
The discovery of 4,000-year-old noodles argues that noodles existed before pasta. It was a close competition, but in the end, noodles seemed to be the winner in this debate. However, when it comes to taste, there’s no real winner between pasta and noodles: both are pretty delicious staples that bring their unique flavors, textures, and shapes to any dish!