Acini di pepe vs Fregola
Acini di pepe is tiny beads the size of peppercorns. Fregola is irregular toasted semolina pearls, like a coarse couscous.
Side by side, to scale
10 mmAcini di pepe: 2 to 3 mm by 2 to 3 mm
Fregola: 2 to 4 mm by 2 to 4 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 | Sardinia |
| Section | Tiny beads the size of peppercorns | Irregular toasted semolina pearls, like a coarse couscous |
| Length | 2 to 3 mm | 2 to 4 mm |
| Width or diameter | 2 to 3 mm | 2 to 4 mm |
| Surface | Smooth | Rough |
| Hollow | No | No |
| Dough | Semolina and water | Semolina and water |
| Cook time | 6 to 9 min | 8 to 12 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 | not measured |
| Pairs with | In brodo, Minestrone, Pasta e ceci | Vongole, Frutti di mare, In brodo, Pasta salad, Bottarga |
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.
Fregola
Toasted pearls absorb liquid and stay firm, so they suit brothy dishes: clams and saffron, a seafood stew, a vegetable soup, or a cold salad with tomato and herbs.
Can you swap them?
Acini di pepe for fregola: yes, smaller smooth beads.
Both take In brodo.
Only acini di pepe: Minestrone, Pasta e ceci.
Only fregola: Vongole, Frutti di mare, Pasta salad, Bottarga.
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.