The Know Daily - Thursday 20 February 2025

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Mexican boxer pupfish eggs have successfully hatched at the Bristol Zoological Society amid conservation efforts for the rare species. The 29 newborn fish are “thriving”, according to one of the society’s curators, and they’re planning to establish new viable populations of other vulnerable freshwater fish in the future.

🍝 British pasta boom

Gourmet British pasta brands are revolutionising the market for this classic household dish.

Tell me more.
There’s no doubt that pasta is popular in the UK, with most Brits eating pasta at least once a week. In 2023, the UK imported £1bn worth of pasta, primarily from Italy – making it the 4th largest importer in the world. However, there’s now a growing wave of homegrown pasta brands in the UK, according to The Guardian. Cumbria-based Northern Pasta Co.’s sales have risen by 357% since last year and Yorkshire Pasta Company is now stocked at more than 600 shops. In fact, a survey of shop owners by Fine Food Digest magazine found that Yorkshire Pasta Company's range is the third most popular. 

Why?
There’s a growing appetite for locally produced versions of the kitchen staple. While Italian-produced products are often seen as superior, that mindset is starting to change. The "British pasta revolution” is beginning, as customers are more open to trying new varieties, said one supermarket buyer. What’s more, there’s a missed opportunity to use “beautiful British grains” to create delicious pasta, according to the founder of Northern Pasta Co. Plus, there’s not much on supermarket shelves aside from high-end Italian products and lower quality mass-produced varieties, explained the founder of Yorkshire Pasta Company. From this gap, homegrown brands have popped up in an effort to offer shoppers more.

Anything else I should know?
The rise of high-quality British pasta feeds into the wider trend of consumers favouring quality over quantity. As the cost of living crisis continues, many Brits are cutting back on big-ticket purchases and opting for more day-to-day luxuries in their shopping baskets, like artisanal bread, chocolate and pasta.

🎨 Culture conservation: The UK government has launched an Arts Everywhere fund that’ll see £270m distributed to cultural venues, museums and heritage buildings.

• The bigger story: The fund is intended to “boost growth and opportunity” and comes as recent research found that arts and culture organisations in the UK are underfunded.

🥼 Promising treatment: A new drug is offering hope to children with a rare form of epilepsy.

🏺 Royal discovery: The tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh was recently unearthed – the first in over 100 years.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Animal welfare: The Welsh government has announced plans to ban greyhound racing.

👗 Cute couture: London fashion week kicks off today – here’s what to look out for.

🫀 Heart health: Tesco has teamed up with the British Heart Foundation to offer shoppers free blood pressure checks.

🚆 Speedy service: A new rail route is making travel between the Baltic capitals much easier.

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Trivia answer: C) Elafonissi Beach in Greece got the number one spot – it’s clear to see why.

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