This Viral TikTok Pasta Hack Is Definitely Not Approved by Italian Grandmas - Yay or Nay? The Internet is Once Again Divided

In today’s digital world, much of adulthood seems to revolve around engaging in debates with strangers online, especially about food. Social media serves two distinct purposes: sharing incredible cooking hacks and revealing some culinary faux pas. The latest sensation comes from TikToker @foodie_guru, who has gained popularity for suggesting a straightforward pasta-making technique: adding olive oil to the boiling water.

The viral TikTok tip states, “Add olive oil to your pasta water so the noodles won’t stick together.” Since its debut, the post has garnered over a million views and more than 40,000 likes, igniting spirited discussions in the comments section. Users tend to fall into three categories: those who are already familiar with the hack, those who view it as a last resort, and those who believe this advice would make Italian grandmothers roll in their graves.

But Does It Actually Work?

The short answer is yes. Adding olive oil to your pasta water can help keep your noodles from sticking. However, just because it works doesn’t mean it’s the best approach. As Italian-American culinary expert Gianna Rossi famously stated, “Do not — I repeat — do not — add oil to your pasta cooking water! And that’s an order!”

The downside of adding oil is that it can hinder sauce adherence to your pasta. As noted by food writer Mia Johnson in The Culinary Journal, oil is hydrophobic, creating a slick layer on the water’s surface. When you drain your pasta, it picks up this oil, making it harder for your sauce to cling.

For those looking to prevent noodles from sticking without oil, culinary experts suggest salting your water, stirring frequently, and adding pasta gradually to maintain enough space between the noodles.

Before the olive oil advocates get too confident, it’s worth noting that “If you’re not using a sauce or are opting for an olive oil-based one, the oil has little impact,” according to Johnson.

Does Adding Olive Oil to Pasta Water Help with Boiling Over?

Some swear by it for preventing messy spills. Chef Mark Robinson, owner of Pasta Palace in San Francisco, explained that the oil can indeed disrupt surface tension and reduce foam. However, he adds that pasta water typically won’t boil over unless you’re cooking hearty noodles that take longer than 13 minutes.

In short, there’s no real necessity to add olive oil to your pasta water. For a better solution to prevent sticking, Chef Robinson recommends tossing cooked noodles in butter instead. “Butter integrates with your sauce, allowing it to stick to the noodles, while olive oil merely coats them,” he explains.

So there you have it. Save that olive oil for a delicious cake instead!

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Summary:

A trending TikTok hack suggests adding olive oil to pasta water to prevent sticking. While it may work, experts advise against it, as it can hinder sauce adherence. Instead, salting the water and using butter after cooking are better alternatives.