I've been buying this brand of pasta since it was introduced at my local Woolworths in 2020, but this is the first time I've seen it at half price. The commonly used ones like linguini, spaghetti, fettuccine are $1.40 for 500g. Made in Italy.
Unlike most supermaket brands of dried pasta, this pasta is produced using bronze dies, resulting in a slightly rougher surface allows sauces to adhere better. See explanation about the usage of bronze dies in pasta production (source).
While the process of machine extrusion through bronze dies dates to the late 19th century, most big producers have long since left bronze behind and bought the easier to use, longer-lasting Teflon. Not so Rustichella and the others we sell. Bronze dies cost more, and because they're softer they break down more quickly. It's not an inexpensive way to make maccheroniÂeach die costs about $1000, and remember, you have to have a different die for each cut. The bronze makes a really big difference in pasta quality. The surface is much, much rougher, which means that the pasta cooks better and absorbs a bit of the sauce as it's meant to. The slick, Teflonic surface of industrial pasta causes the sauce to run off quickly and pool up at the bottom of one's bowl.
I miss when woolies stocked de cecco.