How to Read a Pasta Box Like a Chef

From bronze die to protein content, a good pasta choice is the difference between a great plate and a soggy one. Here is what to look for.

Bronze die pasta is rougher, not smoother - and that rough texture is exactly what you want when a sauce needs to cling. Look for the word trafilata al bronzo or bronze-extruded on Italian packaging.

Next, check for the drying time. Long, slow drying below 50C preserves the grain flavor. Pasta dried quickly at higher temperatures tends to taste of cardboard and breaks easily when tossed.

Finally, look at the protein content on the nutrition panel. A protein count above 13 per 100g indicates a higher quality semolina, which cooks with more bite and less starch in the water.