Bronze matrices

Bronze matrices

Bronze is the real gold, that's the headline in an article from Artimondo magazine. The question was asked why pasta could taste different even though it was made with the same ingredients. Here comes the answer…..

a.) Bronze or plastic?

Manufacturing with bronze matrices is the traditional way of making pasta. The pasta made “al bronzo” is rarely found and usually only in selected delicatessen shops.

With a few exceptions, noodles from the supermarket are made with Teflon matrices.

 

 

The dough slips through more quickly on the smooth plastic, meaning the noodles run through the die a little faster. Since every minute of the machine costs money, production with plastic is much cheaper. The disadvantage is that the pasta is very smooth, which means that the surface closes and the sauce cannot bind to the pasta.

With the pasta made al bronzo, the surface of the pasta is slightly roughened as it is pulled through the bronze matrices, so that the pasta can later better absorb the sauce, flavors and spices. The roughening slows down the output a little, which slows down production a little, but it is precisely this that gives the pasta a denser structure, which later ensures the bite (al dente) when cooking and is appreciated by pasta lovers all over the world.

 

b.) Punching or milling?

The original Philips POM dies are punched. This is the cheapest manufacturing process. However, the filigree, unusual shapes are not possible using punching technology.

Of course, as always, there are downsides too. Since a micro milling machine takes much longer per die to finish milling, the production of milled dies is also significantly more expensive (note: the POM dies on the Gaumenfreunden are also milled and not punched).

 

c.) Durability

Electrical devices are not built to last forever, but the next generation may still enjoy the bronze matrices.

Bronze matrices are robust and cannot be compared to plastic in terms of durability. The smaller format of the bronze matrices gives you the freedom to move the matrices. Thanks to the adapter system, the bronze matrices fit on almost all common pasta machines.

POM plastic matrices, on the other hand, are so special in shape that they only fit the Philips pasta maker.

It would be a shame if after a few years the pasta machine model gave up the ghost or was replaced by a more stylish model and the entire complete collection of dies could no longer be used.

Ultimately everyone has to decide for themselves.

Plastic matrices are cheaper, run a little faster, but really only fit the pasta machine you bought them for.

Pasta made with bronze matrices absorbs the sauce better and can be used in a variety of ways, even if you change the pasta machine model. However, they cost a little more and run through the machines a little slower.