The production of Gragnano pasta dates back to the late 16th century when the first family-run pasta factories were established in the area. Ever since Gragnano became known as the City of Macaroni and the remains of artefacts used in the pasta-making process can still be seen today along the route to the ancient Vallone dei Mulini (lit. Valley of the Mills) in Sorrento, province of Naples. The pasta must be produced within the city of Gragnano and made only with durum wheat semolina and low-calcium water from local aquifers.
It is available in several distinctive shapes: Calamarata, Pennoni, Vermicelli, Penne, Caccavella, Conchiglioni, Pacchero or Schiaffone and Gragnano Fusilli. Once cooked, it has a firm, non-sticky consistency, maintains its shape well, and has a strong flavor of durum semolina with a pronounced aroma of ripe wheat.