You may be cooking pasta the wrong way and this encourages bacteria to grow. Here's how to avoid it!
You may have been preparing pasta the same way for years without realizing that one detail could turn your meal into a health risk. Although pasta is one of the easiest and quickest dishes to make, a very common mistake can encourage the proliferation of bacteria, compromising food safety.
Whether it's for a quick lunch or a special dinner, no one wants an apparently harmless meal to cause health problems. That's why it's essential to understand how this happens and, more importantly, how to avoid it. After all, small changes in preparation can guarantee not only a delicious dish, but also one that is safe to eat.
Common mistake:
The mistake is to let the pasta cool in the cooking water after the time indicated on the package. It seems harmless, but this practice creates an environment conducive to the proliferation of bacteria.
Why is that?
Bacteria thrive in humid environments and at temperatures between 41°F/5°C and 140°F/60°C. When the noodles are left in the cooking water, the ideal temperature for bacterial growth is maintained for a prolonged period.
What are the risks?
The bacteria present in pasta can cause various health problems, such as:
- Food poisoning: Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In more serious cases, there may be fever and dehydration.
- Infections: Some bacteria can cause more serious infections, such as gastroenteritis.
How to avoid the problem?
To avoid the proliferation of bacteria when cooking pasta, follow these tips:
- Cook the pasta for the time indicated on the package: Do not leave the pasta in the cooking water after the recommended time.
- Drain the pasta immediately: Use a colander to remove all the cooking water as soon as the pasta is ready.
- Serve the pasta straight away: Don't let the pasta cool at room temperature for too long.
- Refrigerate leftovers: If you have leftover portions of pasta, store them in a sealed container in the fridge as soon as possible.
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