How Authentic Italian Pasta is Made

Making real Italian pasta is simple but special. It uses a few important ingredients that give it its unique taste and feel. Let’s dive into what these ingredients are:

1. Flour:

   • Italian pasta mainly uses semolina flour. This flour comes from a type of wheat called durum. It gives the pasta a strong texture and a nice yellow color, which is great for cooking it just right.

2. Water:

   • Water is key to making the dough. It helps to mix everything together. The type of water used can change how the pasta feels. That’s why many chefs like to use filtered water.

3. Eggs:

   • For certain pasta shapes like tagliatelle and pappardelle, eggs are added. This makes the dough smoother and richer in flavor. The egg yolks even add some color, making these pasta types feel a bit fancier.

4. Salt:

   • Salt is important but usually not mixed into the dough. Instead, it's added to the boiling water. This helps make the pasta taste better as it cooks.

These ingredients mix together to create the delicious pasta dishes we all enjoy, showing us the heart of Italian cooking.