When you think of Italy, you think of pasta. This delicious dish is synonymous with Italian cuisine, and while it’s loved all over the world, it’s the Italians who have a true love affair with pasta. The long and complex history of pasta in Italy dates back centuries, beyond the Middle Ages. So how exactly did the pasta obsession come about? How did this humble carb become the crown jewel of Italian cuisine? Let’s dive in!

The origin of pasta in Italy is a polarising subject! A common myth is that Marco Polo brought pasta to Italy from China in the 13th century. That’s been debunked as pasta existed in Italy long before Marco Polo’s time – but the exact origins of pasta are unknown. Some say pasta started with the Etruscans, a pre-Roman civilisation in central Italy, since a supposed pasta-making tool was found in an Etruscan tomb.