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Rediff.com  » Business » Who invented instant noodles?

Who invented instant noodles?

Last updated on: June 10, 2005 09:50 IST
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Noodles

Who invented instant noodles?
According to Chinese legends, noodles are symbolic of longevity. From China to the United States, noodles, as a food item, is equally popular among young and old. Take the Rediff Business Quiz and find out how much you know about this hot snack.

Biz Quiz is best viewed in Internet Explorer (IE) and Netscape above version 6.0.

1. Who invented instant noodles?
a) Momofuku Ando
b) Michael Johannes
c) Jiang Xien

Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is Momofuku Ando.
Momofuku Ando founded Nissin Food Products in 1948 as a small family venture. During World War II, when Japan faced severe food scarcity, Ando realised that cheap and easy-to-make noodles would help to feed the masses. His goal was to create a ramen (noodles) that could be eaten anywhere, anytime.
In 1958, Nissin Foods introduced 'Chicken Ramen', the first instant ramen. Chicken Ramen sold beyond expectations. Over ten companies were keen to introduce their versions in the market. Today, Top Ramen is a name synonymous with noodles.
At 95, Ando, the man who popularised noodles, is in good health. He will, however resign as chairman and representative director at Nissin Food Products on June 29, 2005.
Correct!
Momofuku Ando founded Nissin Food Products in 1948 as a small family venture. During World War II, when Japan faced severe food scarcity, Ando realised that cheap and easy-to-make noodles would help to feed the masses. His goal was to create a ramen (noodles) that could be eaten anywhere, anytime.
In 1958, Nissin Foods introduced 'Chicken Ramen', the first instant ramen. Chicken Ramen sold beyond expectations. Over ten companies were keen to introduce their versions in the market. Today, Top Ramen is a name synonymous with noodles.
At 95, Ando, the man who popularised noodles, is in good health. He will, however resign as chairman and representative director at Nissin Food Products on June 29, 2005.

2. Who founded the Maggi brand?
a) Michael George
b) Julius Michael
c) John Jacob

Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is Julius Michael.
Maggi is a leading brand from FMCG major Nestle. Julius Michael Johannes Maggi, oldest son of an immigrant Italian and a Swiss national, was the man behind Maggi.
In 1863, he developed a formula to add taste to meals, which later paved the way for Maggi and other easy-to-make food products. Apart from two-minute noodles, Maggi also offers a range of products, like packaged soups, frozen meals, sauces and flavourings.
In 1882, the Swiss Public Welfare Society commissioned Maggi to create a vegetable food product that would be quick to make and help working women cook meals faster. This resulted in two instant pea soups and an instant bean soup, which turned out to be a huge success. Maggi merged with Nestle in 1947.
Correct!
Maggi is a leading brand from FMCG major Nestle. Julius Michael Johannes Maggi, oldest son of an immigrant Italian and a Swiss national, was the man behind Maggi.
In 1863, he developed a formula to add taste to meals, which later paved the way for Maggi and other easy-to-make food products. Apart from two-minute noodles, Maggi also offers a range of products, like packaged soups, frozen meals, sauces and flavourings.
In 1882, the Swiss Public Welfare Society commissioned Maggi to create a vegetable food product that would be quick to make and help working women cook meals faster. This resulted in two instant pea soups and an instant bean soup, which turned out to be a huge success. Maggi merged with Nestle in 1947.

3. Which company holds the Guinness record for the largest packet of instant noodles?
a) Maggi
b) Top Ramen
c) Indofood

Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is Indofood.
Indofood holds two Guinness Book records -- 'Largest Packet of Instant Noodles' and 'The Largest Serving of Noodles'.
The giant packet of 'Indomie' instant noodles was made on February 3, 2005 at Indofood's Surabaya factory, under the supervision of officials from the National Agency for Drug and Food Control.
'Indomie' measured 3.4m x 2.355m x 0.47m, and had a net weight of 664.938 kg, which is about 8,000 times the weight of a regular pack of instant noodles. 'Supermi', another brand of instant noodles from the same company, hold the world record for 'The Largest Serving of Noodles'. Three hundred and fifty cooks and helpers were deployed to cook 30,000 packs of 'Supermi'.
The noodles took 23 minutes to prepare, and it was served in a 'Supermi Super Bowl' with a diameter of 2.6 m and a height of 1.3m. 'The Largest Serving of Noodles'weighed 4170 kg, breaking the previous record of 132 kg.
Correct!
Indofood holds two Guinness Book records -- 'Largest Packet of Instant Noodles' and 'The Largest Serving of Noodles'.
The giant packet of 'Indomie' instant noodles was made on February 3, 2005 at Indofood's Surabaya factory, under the supervision of officials from the National Agency for Drug and Food Control.
'Indomie' measured 3.4m x 2.355m x 0.47m, and had a net weight of 664.938 kg, which is about 8,000 times the weight of a regular pack of instant noodles. 'Supermi', another brand of instant noodles from the same company, hold the world record for 'The Largest Serving of Noodles'. Three hundred and fifty cooks and helpers were deployed to cook 30,000 packs of 'Supermi'.
The noodles took 23 minutes to prepare, and it was served in a 'Supermi Super Bowl' with a diameter of 2.6 m and a height of 1.3m. 'The Largest Serving of Noodles'weighed 4170 kg, breaking the previous record of 132 kg.

4. What are dragon beards?
a) Chinese noodles
b) Thai noodles
c) Japanese noodles

Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is Chinese noodles.
Chinese noodles are called 'dragon beards'. Noodles can be made either by hand or by machine and can be 'cut noodles' or 'dried noodles'. They may be different in width, varying from ribbons to threads. The hand-pulled noodles are unique to China and can be made only by a professional cook.
The whole process of making 'hand-pulled noodles' is magical and entertaining. 'Dragon beards' are also hand-pulled noodles but are extraordinarily fine. It has been calculated that a paste prepared with 1.5 kilograms of wheat flour can make 144,000 hair-thin noodles, each 0.17 metres long -- a total length of 2 kilometres. Initially, 'dragon beards' were simply called 'beards', but since they caught the fancy of an emperor and as the dragon was the symbol of all Chinese emperors, they are now known as 'dragon beards'.
Correct!
Chinese noodles are called 'dragon beards'. Noodles can be made either by hand or by machine and can be 'cut noodles' or 'dried noodles'. They may be different in width, varying from ribbons to threads. The hand-pulled noodles are unique to China and can be made only by a professional cook.
The whole process of making 'hand-pulled noodles' is magical and entertaining. 'Dragon beards' are also hand-pulled noodles but are extraordinarily fine. It has been calculated that a paste prepared with 1.5 kilograms of wheat flour can make 144,000 hair-thin noodles, each 0.17 metres long -- a total length of 2 kilometres. Initially, 'dragon beards' were simply called 'beards', but since they caught the fancy of an emperor and as the dragon was the symbol of all Chinese emperors, they are now known as 'dragon beards'.

5. Which of these firms manufactures machines to make noodles?
a) Xiamen Minsong
b) Dashanjiang
c) Xiamen Xingsheng

Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is Dashanjiang.
Dashanjiang Machine Works Co Ltd is an ISO 9001 international quality system certified company. As manufacturer of noodle, rice vermicelli and other food machinery in China, the company has won many awards.
The company has been engaged in noodle and vermicelli machines since 1984. They export machines to Indonesia, America, Sweden, England, Russia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam.
Their noodle production lines also won the national recommended product award from the Chinese National Institute of Food Science and Technology. Dashanjiang's machines have been used by companies like Heinz, Walls Unilever and PT Indofood, the biggest noodle maker in Asia.
Correct!
Dashanjiang Machine Works Co Ltd is an ISO 9001 international quality system certified company. As manufacturer of noodle, rice vermicelli and other food machinery in China, the company has won many awards.
The company has been engaged in noodle and vermicelli machines since 1984. They export machines to Indonesia, America, Sweden, England, Russia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam.
Their noodle production lines also won the national recommended product award from the Chinese National Institute of Food Science and Technology. Dashanjiang's machines have been used by companies like Heinz, Walls Unilever and PT Indofood, the biggest noodle maker in Asia.

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