Unwrapped Season 18 Episode 10 Oodles of Noodles

Unwrapped is a food documentary television series that explores how popular food products are made and sold across America. In season 18 episode 10 titled "Oodles of Noodles," the show takes a look at the history, production, and consumption of noodles. From ramen to chow mein to mac and cheese, noodles have become a staple food in many cultures worldwide. The episode attempts to find out how they are made, what they are made of, and the numerous dishes they are used to create.

The host, Marc Summers, begins by visiting a factory in New Jersey that specializes in manufacturing Japanese-style Soba noodles. He observes the intricate process of rolling out the dough, cutting it into thin strips, and then drying them using authentic Japanese techniques. The factory provides soba noodles to high-end restaurants and noodle bars throughout the US, showcasing the wide appeal of noodles in the culinary world.

In the next segment, Marc heads to a small mountain village in Italy to understand the making of Pici - a thick, spaghetti-like noodle. Pici has been a staple in Tuscan cuisine for centuries and has become increasingly popular worldwide in recent years. Marc observes as a local chef prepares the dough by hand, then effortlessly rolls it into long ropes, and finally cuts it into small pieces before cooking. The host then shares the dish with locals, giving us a glimpse of how important noodles are to the locals of Italy.

The show then shifts its focus to the popular dish known as Lo Mein, which is widely consumed in American-Chinese cuisine. Marc visits a noodle factory in New York City, where they produce millions of pounds of noodles annually. He sees the high-tech machinery they use to make different varieties of noodles and how they are packaged and distributed nationwide. He then visits an authentic Chinese restaurant in the city to try their Lo Mein dish and commentates on the importance of this dish in American-Chinese cuisine.

The show then introduces us to the Singaporean dish called Laksa, which is a spicy noodle soup. Marc visits a restaurant in California, where the chef shares his secrets for making the perfect Laksa. He then travels to Singapore, where he visits a street food stall that has been making this popular dish for decades. The Laksa dish is observed getting assembled step by step, from boiling and cooking the noodles, to the preparation of the curry paste. Marc also attempts to make Laksa to serve in the restaurant alongside the chef.

In the final segment of the episode, the show dives into the world of instant noodles and its influence on the global noodle industry. Instant noodles are one of the most popular convenience foods worldwide, especially in Asia. Marc is shown visiting the first instant noodle factory in Japan, where he observes the automated production of noodles. He then travels to the Maggi Factory in Switzerland, where he sees how the noodles are manufactured on a grand scale to produce the globally famous Maggi noodles. The host also visits a scientific research center in America to uncover the secrets behind the flavoring of instant noodles and the impact of noodles on the global economy.

In conclusion, season 18 episode 10 of Unwrapped, titled "Oodles of Noodles," provides a comprehensive guide to the production, history, and cultural significance of noodles worldwide. From Italy to Japan, the show provides a global perspective on how noodles have become one of the most popular foods worldwide. Whether it's discussing handmade noodles or instant noodles, each segment provides insights into the importance of noodle dishes in different cultures. Overall, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the popularity and variety of noodles worldwide.