What is "al dente?"

You hear it all the time, “cook the pasta al dente,” but what does this mean, exactly? Pasta is pasta, right? Well, even though pasta is made from the same basic ingredients, different pastas are certainly unique in their own way. In order to cook pasta as it was meant to be tasted, you will have to know the difference between “al dente” and over- or undercooked.

Technically, and literally, “al dente” means “to the teeth.” What? That didn’t help? Well, “to the teeth” can be roughly interpreted to mean “to the taste,” or “as you like it.” True al dente pasta should give your teeth something to chew on. Pasta should never turn to mush in your mouth, but it should not have a crunch to it either. Instead, you want to cook your past somewhere in between crunch and mushy – or, al dente.

Most people make the mistake of cooking pasta perfectly well, and then adding a large amount of cold water to the pasta in order to cool it off. You should never add cold water, or any water, to your pasta after removing it from the burner. Cold water will completely change the texture and the taste of the pasta, so avoid this step at all costs. Instead, allow your pasta to cool off itself, and then add your sauce or topping. Pasta is not difficult to make, yet so many people cannot manage to cook pasta just right. Remember to make sure your pasta gives your teeth something to really chew on, and steer clear from that cold water bath – buon appetito!