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Appearances: When Shopping for pasta look for a golden-amber
color (a sign of good quality wheat) versus whitish, reddish
or grayish shades. Pasta that adheres to high-quality standards
should also have fewer specs (black/dark spots) or impurities.
◆ Bite: Good pasta should cook “al dente”
every time for the best meal experience. “Al dente” means
“to the tooth”, i.e. the finished pasta
should be firm when ready to beaten.
◆ Water color: Pasta made with the highest-quality
durum wheat should not release a lot of starch into the cooking
water. Make sure the cooking water is clear and not cloudy -
an indicator that excess starch is being released, which usually
results in sticky, clumpy pasta.
◆ Doesn't break, clump or stick: Pasta made
with the highest-quality durum wheat should not break, clump
or stick while cooking. Serve immediately to ensure the best
meal experience.
◆ Elasticity: Pasta, particularly long cuts,
should be springy and lively, not limp, and should always hold
its shape.
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