Vermicelli
Vermicelli is a type of pasta or noodle name used for very thin strands, originally from Italian usage meaning “little worms.” In English, it commonly refers to pasta thinner than spaghetti, but in some cuisines it also refers to rice noodles and other thin noodle varieties.
Vermicelli is a thin pasta or noodle, originally from Italy meaning 'little worms.' The term is used differently across cuisines, referring to both wheat pasta and rice noodles.
What it is
Vermicelli is a type of very thin noodle. The name comes from Italian, literally meaning "little worms," referring to the thin strands. In English, it is typically thinner than spaghetti, but Italian tradition has it thicker.
Culinary and regional uses
Vermicelli is used in soups, pasta dishes, and other preparations. In North America, it often refers to thin wheat pasta, while in Asian cuisines, "rice vermicelli" is common. Notably, in British English, the term can also mean chocolate sprinkles.
Canadian context
In Canada, vermicelli is commonly used for thin noodles in both Asian dishes and traditional soups. The term follows North American English usage, where it is thinner than spaghetti.
In short
- Thin noodle, name means 'little worms'
- English usage: thinner than spaghetti; Italian: thicker
- Also refers to rice vermicelli in Asian cuisines
- In Canada, used for both wheat and rice noodles
In Canada, vermicelli is commonly used on packaging and in recipes for thin noodles, especially rice vermicelli in Asian dishes and wheat vermicelli in soups and pastas, reflecting North American English usage.[2][6][9]
Quick questions
What is vermicelli?
Is it always wheat?
Is it thinner than spaghetti?
Sources
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vermicelliSupports: English definition of vermicelli as pasta in long solid strings smaller in diameter than spaghetti
- Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/vermicelliSupports: Definition as a type of pasta made in long, thin threads and British sense for chocolate decorations
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VermicelliSupports: Traditional Italian versus English-language thickness distinction and semolina-based pasta
- Britannica Dictionary — https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/vermicelliSupports: Definition as pasta like spaghetti but thinner
- Oxford Learner's Dictionaries — https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/vermicelliSupports: Definition, British chocolate-sprinkle sense, and etymology
- The Mediterranean Dish — https://www.themediterraneandish.com/what-is-vermicelli/Supports: Overview of Italian wheat vermicelli, rice vermicelli, and regional variation
- Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/vermicelliSupports: Definition and etymology from Italian and Latin roots
- Allrecipes — https://www.allrecipes.com/what-is-vermicelli-7553587Supports: Regional and culinary variations including Italian, rice, and other noodle uses