Noodles are a symbol of longevity

Over the years, the origin of noodles still a debate about who was first made it​​. Some opinions say that noodles were first made in mainland Mediterranean. Others expressed noodle-making technology was first developed in the Middle East.

There is also an old record is wrote that the first noodles were created during the Han Dynasty in China in 25-200 AD. And then in 2005, the oldest noodles (4,000 year-old) found in mainland China. This discovery proves that the first noodles maker was the modern Chinese people. However, if the manufacturing technology adopted from the Middle East or not, still continues to be debated.

Many people also think that noodles originated from pasta so that point to the Italian as the first who make the noodles. However, many historians believe that when Marco Polo visited China in the 13th century, he likes the noodles and took it to Italy and then influence the country's cuisine. In fact, noodles were not a staple food in Italy until the 17th and 18th century.

In the Asian continent, noodles were not so much spread until about 100 AD. In that year, noodles becoming known and well liked in some countries such as Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, even island nations in Southeast Asia.

In the Chinese culture, noodles are a long life symbol. Hence, traditional noodles are often served at a birthday party and the Chinese New Year as a symbol of longevity. Thus, China's version of a birthday cake is birthday noodles.

In Japan, noodles put in the Japanese tea ceremony and make it regarded as a separate art in the country. Noodles become even more important in Japan after World War II, when the lack of food and only dry noodles are available. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SEPTI | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 07112013]

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