2020 in many ways was a year to forget, but one of the few positive notes is due to the increase in pasta consumption. Increase due precisely to the need to eat well. In fact, the bar has increased above all for the consumption of artisanal pasta, that is the product that gives certainty not only of territoriality but also of safe consumption of a genuine and healthy product. The industrial pasta factories are desperately trying to stem these “losses” by inserting slogans such as 100% Italian or Sicilian product, without understanding that this is not what makes the difference compared to the artisan product. Behind an artisan pasta factory there is a careful search for a specific grain, a very slow drying of the product that determines the avoidance of loss of the organoleptic characteristics, a more careful packaging based on simple products with little ink in the packaging, or, as in many cases, even just a cardboard, called a U-bolt, with the indications of the product specifications. The product, therefore, can be seen in its entirety, there is nothing to hide, it is naked, as mom did it.

With this I do not want to point to the industrial product but, unfortunately, often the aim is more to achieve high turnover numbers at the expense of attention to the product. Then an important plus is also the credibility of the manufacturer. The more he puts his face, the more credible it becomes. But this is another story that will be illustrated in another article.

Returning to the sales of the artisanal product, Sicily stands at a good 25% more growth. A great result considering that the product is sold mostly in neighborhood shops, specialized delicatessens, gourmet food and therefore not in a large distribution where, inevitably, the product is debased with promotions below cost and with absolutely prohibitive product entry costs. Therefore, our record as consumers of pasta, which is around 45kg per capita, has a good percentage of artisan pasta. The choice of the product is also due to a better awareness of the consumer and research. It is true that the pressing advertising of some products leads to the automatic purchase of some of the best-known brands, but let’s not stop there. We become protagonists of our health. The consumer has the right to know how, where, and who is producing. And then, our primacy as consumers of pasta, is only obtained with the consumption of quality pasta.