The History of Pasta

Pasta is one of the most well-loved foods that exist today. It is also one of the foods that has a very intricate and long history. Though many believe that Marco Polo brought pasta to Italy after his travels, this theory has been disproven by archeological evidence. In fact, it is hard to say exactly where pasta actually originated because there are many variations of pasta in different parts of the world. The earliest evidence of pasta comes from Shang Dynasty China (1700-1100 BC), which is likely a variation of noodles native to the region. Similarly, there is evidence of pasta-like noodles in Africa and in Ancient Greece around the same time frame. Though it is unclear exactly how, it is in the fourth century BC when pasta first showed up in Italy. Archaeologists have found links to pasta in the Etruscan civilization, such as drawings of pasta making tools and utensils. Between then and the 14th century, pasta had become a staple in Italy and started evolving from its fresh for to its dry form. During this time, pasta’s popularity also spread around Europe. Spanish settlers brought pasta with them to the Americas, and Thomas Jefferson was one of the people that pushed for its popularity. Today, pasta has become a staple in many people’s diets and has had its reach all around the world.