Pasta Almanac

The difference

Acini di pepe vs Fregola

Both are little beads, but acini di pepe are tiny smooth specks the size of a peppercorn, made for clear broth, while fregola is bigger, hand rolled, and toasted, with a nutty chew, simmered Sardinian style with clams. One disappears into soup, the other holds its own.

Gouache illustration of Acini di pepe

Acini di pepe

Family
Pastina
Size
not yet measured
Surface
Smooth
Cook
9 to 11 min

Wants: Broth, Butter and parmesan

Gouache illustration of Fregola

Fregola

Family
Pastina
Size
2 to 6 mm across
Surface
Textured
Cook
10 min

Wants: Shellfish and legumes, Broth, Tomato sauce

Compare more shapes, or look up Acini di pepe and Fregola in full.