Pasta is becoming fashionable again, especially with the younger age groups, reports Jonathan Thomas.
Pasta remains a staple food for both in-home and out-of-home eating across the world. During the last decade, the global market has benefited from a large-scale consumer shift towards easy-to-cook food items which require minimal preparation and cooking skills, since lifestyles are now more hectic and busier than ever. Pasta remains a versatile food item, although usage tends to be heaviest as a main meal component (i.e. boiled and then served with some form of accompanying sauce) or as part of a lighter lunchtime occasion (e.g. served with other ingredients in a salad). The market appears to have weathered the challenges posed by the growth of low- carbohydrate, low-calorie and gluten-free diets. Pasta suppliers are increasingly tapping into the growing desire for products possessing a more artisanal appearance, as well as experimenting with ingredients (e.g. ancient grains and vegetables) to cater towards more health-conscious eating patterns, thereby ‘preimmunizing’ much of the market.
Global Pasta Market
Sales of pasta appear to be recovering in certain western markets such as Europe, after a short period during which consumption was adversely affected by health concerns and a switch away from the category by consumers following gluten-free diets. Many manufacturers have responded to these trends via the launch of products carrying some form of health claim, such as gluten-free or by incorporating ingredients like vegetables or ancient grains. Dried pasta accounts for the bulk of the market, with fresh and chilled products comprising much of the remainder. Across much of the world, pasta is still viewed as a convenient meal center, suitable for the preparation of popular and authentic Italian dishes such as spaghetti bolognaise and lasagna. According to the website tasteatlas.com, a ranking of the world’s favorite 100 dishes includes several pasta-based dishes, notable examples of which include Pasta Carbonara, Lasagne alla Bolognese, Cacio e Pepe and Mac&Cheese.
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