Jesse Cheung
There has been much debate about where noodles have originated from. Some state that it originated in the Han dynasty which was more 4,000 years ago with preserved millet noodle under a bowl from an archeological site in China. According to Truth about Pasta article, pasta dates back to Etruscan civilizations and the Italian version of noodles-spaghetti-has been produced in Sicily long before Marco Polo made his way back from China. Noodles have gradually transformed from traditional handicraft to machinery mass-produced noodles. The great thing about noodles is that they can be eaten at any time of the day- midmorning, lunch or mid-afternoon and as a snack or a meal. In China, the main compositions are wheat and rice, while in Italy, the past and present pasta are made from durum wheat. Noodles have also evolved from being freshly made to dry due to the increase of technology and machinery for convenience and ease of transportation. However, both forms of noodles are still very popular and are used for different purposes. The Chinese have also popularized instant noodles. While we typically consider pasta as a Mediterranean diet, it is in fact that globalization from Asia, America, Africa and Europe have played a major role in developing this characteristic of bringing corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and beans. Due to globalization, food from all over the world have transformed noodles and their sauces and flavors in that it has now created brilliant combinations of a balanced mix of western and eastern flavors. Globalization of pasta occurred as there were increasing trade, invasions, and migrations. For example, potatoes and tomatoes came from America and are incorporated into the tradition and the gnocchi that we know and love today. According to a survey conducted by Oxfam in Truth about Pasta article, pasta is the world’s favorite food due to being so versatile and adaptable to other cultural ingredients and sauces.
Noodles come in all shapes and sizes, where it is thick, thin, sheets, strips, etc. Noodles are also nontraditionally categorized, where things made of dough such as bread, pastries, dumplings, and pizzas are also considered as noodles. There are so many ways to cook it such as hot, cold, spicy, steamed, or fried. It is also made of so many different materials such as from plants, animals, flour, eggs, and etc. There are so many different sauces and seasoning, where they can be as simples as just having a couple ingredients to mixing in a variety of vegetables, meats, and sauces. Some noodles are time-consuming and have very specific procedures and steps in order to make them correctly, such as pressed noodles or pulled noodles.
In China, noodles essentially mean “human nature” and “worldly common sense”, with thousands of varieties of noodles and cooking styles. It is their main source of energy and the most economical energy food that maintains the Chinese healthy diet that is nutritious and avoids the “disadvantages of high energy, high fat, and low carbohydrate diet, and promote health” according to Noodles, traditionally and today. Noodles are also associated and linked with holidays and festivities such that moon cakes are eaten in Mid-Autumn Festival and dumplings in Spring Festivals. During birthdays, people eat longevity noodles. Many types of noodles are also associated with stories. People eat noodles for a variety of reason, such as when they are sick, for convenience, or for good luck and prosperity.
In Italy, pasta has a long history, especially with invasions. It is often made from durum wheat since it thrived in Italy’s climate. Different regions in Italy have different variety of pasta with different sauces, meats, fillings due to regional differences. As the growth of technology continues, machinery and dried pasta made it easier to make and transport. Pasta, according to the article about identity, is a metaphor for unity and the variety of Italian alimentary styles and is a way of expressing differences. It shows that people like pasta can be simple to complicated and that they can be all different types of shapes, sizes, and cooked in various ways, but in the end, they are unified in that they are identified and categorized as one: Pasta. It is very important to the Italians to cook pasta until it is al dente, which is firm to the teeth yet tender. According to the Life in Italy article, “serving pasta that is made fresh that day shows a great deal of care in preparation and a high level of pride in the household’s culinary skills”. The difference between fresh and dried pasta is that they are used in different situations. Simple pasta typically works best with simple sauces while complex-shaped pasta is ideal for thicker sauces. For authentic flavor, it is important to use and cook high-quality pasta properly.
Many noodles have local characteristics and reflect cultural traditions and customs. Noodles are not only a source of nutrition, but it also plays a role in religion, economy, festivals, and events. The noodles are often so integral in that many people reminisce about their childhood memories of food. Oftentimes, these memories are all we have, as we are consumed in this current fast-paced lifestyle, where we may not have the time, skills in making the noodles, or patience. The people that know the skills and make it original way are diminishing as the art is not being passed down from each generation as often. For both of these countries, noodles are for pleasure, healthy, and can be part of a balanced diet, through combinations with vegetables and meats and portion controls. According to the truth about pasta, noddles are a good source of energy and in some cases, it “help prevent and slow the progression of major chronic diseases”. This reminds me of Lin Yutang’s article of eating food as medicine to alleviate, prevent, and cure illnesses and diseases. The Chinese emphasize eating to prevent disease and not just taking medicine to cure it, which combines and intertwines the meaning of medicine and food. Both of these cultures emphasize the importance of connecting food with long-term health. The history these noodles are complex and is due to the differences and mixture of economics, culture, social and politics to form the taste and type.
The definition of noodle is multifarious and will vary between each culture and region, however, based on my knowledge and readings, this is how I would personally describe it. Noodles come in different varieties of shapes, sizes, ingredients, and cooked in multi-various ways that are healthy, a good source of energy, convenient, affordable, accessible, and most of all enjoyed by yourself or socially with others. Noodles can be fried, steamed, in broth, sauce, baked, stir-fried, boiled, and etc. They come in different shapes and sizes of being big, small, long, short, have ridges, and different complexity. Noodles are inclusive and versatile through any wheat and egg combinations whether handmade or machinery including dough to bread. Now, more than ever due to globalization, noodles may be combined with various meats, vegetables, sauces, spices not only locally, but also globally for an amalgamation of flavors that activates all of the tongue’s taste buds. Noodles have deeper meanings as they may be made from love or eaten with love, but most of all it connects us to one another and back to the long, rich history behind it.
This picture of instant noodle is a representation of the endless ways of how noodles can be defined. Instant noodles, began in China, however, we can see that this packaging is in English and is in America. In this one bowl, it contains various vegetables, spices, and most important of all noodles. It goes into the roots of how noodles are supposed to be affordable, convenient, and can be enjoyed by everyone with the fact that noodles can be as simple or complex as one makes it be. However, this dried instant noodle is a simplification of what the actual noodle can be, which is complex and soupier with all-natural and fresh ingredients.