Pasta water: The secret kitchen ally you’re pouring down the drain
Straining pasta is an action we usually don't overthink. We pour the pasta and water into a colander to prepare the dish. Few people know that the pasta water can be used. How and for what can it be used? You'll be surprised.
Cooking pasta is one of those kitchen tasks we often do almost automatically. After a few minutes of boiling, we reach for the colander and pour the pasta water down the drain, unaware that it can still be useful. Pasta cooking water is a real treasure in the kitchen and beyond.
What properties does pasta cooking water have?
When pasta is cooked in boiling water, it releases starch, giving the water a slightly cloudy appearance and a delicate sticky consistency. This starch is an ingredient with many culinary uses.
But that’s not all. Adding salt when cooking pasta enhances the flavour of the resulting liquid, making it an ideal addition to various dishes. Because of these ingredients, pasta water is highly regarded in kitchens worldwide, including in Italy, where no one would think of pouring it out.
How to use pasta cooking water?
The first key use of pasta water is in sauces and soups. The starch it contains makes sauces smooth and velvety. By adding a bit of water to a simmering tomato or cream sauce, we can achieve the perfect consistency. The same applies to soups — adding a few tablespoons of pasta water thickens the soup without needing flour or cream.
Pasta water can also be used in baking. Though it may seem unconventional, the starch it contains is helpful when preparing dough for pizza or bread. Adding it to the dough makes it more elastic and its structure more cohesive.
However, pasta water finds its use not only in culinary but also in other household solutions. Due to the minerals it contains, once cooled, it can be used for watering plants. Such water provides extra nutrients to plants, supporting their growth. Plants should be watered with pasta cooking water twice a week. Of course, the watering requirements of individual plants should be taken into account.
Pasta cooking water can also be used for hair care. It works perfectly as a natural moisturizer. Rinsing hair with this water after washing, especially when combined with a few drops of lemon juice, can improve its condition. This rinse acts as a natural conditioner, giving hair shine and softness.
Pasta cooking water is more than just kitchen waste. It is a valuable product that we can use in various aspects of our daily lives.
