Why you should never throw away pasta-cooking water

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Pasta is a perennial favorite in the kitchen. And rightly so, because they are delicious, quick, and easy to prepare. But you shouldn’t underestimate the pasta water, either.

As a secret ingredient for sauces
The water is ideal for perfecting the pasta sauce as soon as the pasta is cooked al dente. The pasta water contains starch, which can thicken sauces very easily. The cooking water is suitable for pestos, dips, and sauces of all kinds, making them nice and creamy. The best way to do this is to stir the hot pasta water into the sauce.

For soaking pulses
Beans, lentils, and peas should ideally be soaked overnight before cooking. This shortens the cooking time and makes the pulses more straightforward to digest. This is because their skin softens during soaking, and the carbohydrates, which are difficult to digest, are primarily broken down. Salted pasta cooking water instead of tap water for soaking gives the dish a tantalizing aroma even before cooking.
To clean the dishes
The starch in pasta water also acts as a natural cleaning agent and removes stubborn stains. Pour the warm pasta water into the sink and use it to clean the dishes.

The strained water can also be stored in a jar or fridge. After a short time, the pasta water will form a gel-like substance. This can be used undiluted, like a normal cleaner or washing-up liquid for cleaning the house.

For watering plants
Pasta water is rich in minerals from the salt it contains: not only do we humans need these, but plants do, too, to grow. Therefore, the water is ideal for watering vegetable patches and flower pots.
It is important to allow the pasta water to cool down first. Plants should never be watered with hot water; it can damage them. You should also be careful with the salt in the water: Too much salt can harm plants, just like hot water.
As a foot bath and hair treatment
Pasta water is also considered a beauty elixir. After dinner, it’s time to put your feet up—or even better, dip them in the pasta water. A footbath in the lukewarm pasta water promises relaxation, while the enclosed minerals ensure soft and supple feet.

And pasta water is like a revitalizing cure for the hair, especially for damaged hair. Massaged into the hair, the water works its magic for ten minutes and is then rinsed. The hair can then be washed as usual with shampoo.