this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2024
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[–] prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works -3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Yeah you put salt in pasta water to change the properties of the water so it boils differently, not to flavor the pasta lmao

You don’t want to change the flavor of your pasta by over salting the water, that’s just gross.

[–] Krauerking@lemy.lol 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Not really. Salt in the water is mostly for flavor, the raise in boiling point is so miniscule by the amount added it's practically ignorable.

Adding oil breaks surface tension so that it's less likely to foam over.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yup. Don't oversalt, but certainly add a healthy amount to the water. Some of that salt gets absorbed into the pasta, which gives it a richer flavor.

I personally bring the water to a boil, add pasta, and then add salt (to keep temps as high as possible), but I highly doubt the order here matters at all.

[–] Krauerking@lemy.lol 2 points 1 month ago

Yeah the only rule I know is don't add the salt to a cold pan with cold water as heating it up may cause it to damage the bottom of your pan. But adding salt at any point while the water is hot and you aren't done cooking the pasta is pretty safe.