Acini di pepe

Acini di pepe (Italian: [ˈaːtʃini di ˈpeːpe]; lit. 'seeds of pepper') is a type of pasta. Acini is the plural of acino whose root is the Latin word acinus. In both Latin and Italian, the word means 'grape' or 'grape-stones', with the "stones of a grape" being the seeds of the grape. Acini di pepe then translates into 'seeds of a pepper'. It was and is known as a symbol of fertility, which is why it is used in Italian wedding soup. It is also sometimes referred to as pastina (lit. 'little pasta'); however, some pasta makers distinguish pastina as smaller than acini di pepe. The individual pieces usually resemble tiny cylinders about 1mm, or less, in each dimension.

Acini di pepe

Alternative names	Pastina
Type	Pasta
Place of origin	Italy

Acini di pepe is often used in Italian wedding soup.

See also

• Pastina