Artisan pasta is made primarily by hand using hard wheat; however, it is the dies that make the difference. The dies are bronze not teflon, that is used in commercial manufacturing. Teflon dies create excessive heat as the paste is passed through, robbing the product of essential vitamins traditionally found in wheat. The bronze dies create less heat, preserving vital nutrients as it is extruded; also the bronze dies create a surface that allows your sauce to cling to the pasta. (see my article)