Acini di pepe vs Alphabet pasta
Acini di pepe is tiny beads the size of peppercorns. Alphabet pasta is tiny letters of the alphabet.
Side by side, to scale
10 mmAcini di pepe: 2 to 3 mm by 2 to 3 mm
Alphabet pasta: 4 to 6 mm by 4 to 6 mm
Footprints from the length and width in each record, one scale for both. See every shape on the chart.
| Family | Pastina | Pastina |
|---|---|---|
| Region | All of Italy | All of Italy |
| Section | Tiny beads the size of peppercorns | Tiny letters of the alphabet |
| Length | 2 to 3 mm | 4 to 6 mm |
| Width or diameter | 2 to 3 mm | 4 to 6 mm |
| Surface | Smooth | Smooth |
| Hollow | No | No |
| Dough | Semolina and water | Semolina and water |
| Cook time | 6 to 9 min | 6 to 8 min |
| Brands with a page | De Cecco | not measured |
| Catalogue numbers | De Cecco no. 78 | not measured |
| Cook time across brands | 9 min | not measured |
| Energy, dry, per 100 g | 371 kcal (dry semolina pasta) | 371 kcal (dry semolina pasta) |
| Protein, dry, per 100 g | 13.0 g | 13.0 g |
| Products catalogued | 18 | 22 |
| Pairs with | In brodo, Minestrone, Pasta e ceci | In brodo, Minestrone |
Acini di pepe
Cooked in the broth it is served in. Clear soups, wedding soup, a chicken broth with egg. Too small for any sauce.
Alphabet pasta
Broth and soup. It is a toy.
Can you swap them?
Acini di pepe for alphabet pasta: yes, beads.
Both take In brodo, Minestrone.
Only acini di pepe: Pasta e ceci.
Sources
- Dimensions, surface, dough, and cook time: each shape page names the brand page, spec sheet, or measured box behind every figure.
- Brands, catalogue numbers, brand cook times, and brand dimensions: the brand product pages linked on each shape page, read on 2026-08-25.
- Energy and protein: USDA FoodData Central, per 100 g of the dough, public domain.
- Products catalogued: Open Food Facts, Open Database License, read on 2026-08-25. A crowd database: a count is a floor.