You could be cooking with limescale every single day and it’s messing with more than just your appliances
Many people have noticed that white "streak" that remains on kettles and pans after boiling water. This is due to limescale - minerals such as calcium and magnesium present in the water. But is cooking with this water bad for you? You'll be surprised by the answer!
The truth about hard water
Contrary to what many people think, hard water is not dangerous. Limestone is nothing more than natural minerals that are good for the body, helping bones, muscles and nerves.
In other words, cooking with limescale is not a health risk. But there are some secrets you need to know.
What changes when you cook with hard water?
- In food: pasta, rice and soups stay the same, without risk.
- In taste: coffee and tea can lose their intensity and become "bland".
- In texture: beans, grains and other legumes may take longer to soften.
Result: safe, yes, but it can mess with your taste buds!
The boring side that nobody tells you about
- Pots and kettles get a white coat of grime.
- Coffee machines and electric kettles clog more easily.
- The taste of some drinks becomes less pronounced.
How to avoid limescale and make your food perfect
- Use charcoal or reverse osmosis filters to improve the taste of your water.
- Add a pinch of bicarbonate when cooking legumes: they'll become tender much faster.
- Clean kettles and coffee pots with boiled vinegar - the scum disappears in minutes!
Yes, you can cook with hard water without fear. It's safe, healthy and even beneficial. The only challenge lies in the flavors and deposits it leaves on utensils - but now you know how to solve that.
So the next time you prepare a cup of coffee or soup, remember: limescale is there... but it's not a villain!
Mirella Mendonça
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