Italian cuisine
What does “al dente” mean? Pasta cooked just right
“Al dente” literally means “to the tooth”. Why pasta with a little bite tastes better, how to recognise it and how to get it right at home.
Order pasta in Italy and sooner or later you will hear the words “al dente”. It is the name of our restaurant and also a very simple promise: the pasta still has some bite. Here is what it means and how to get it right at home.
What “al dente” means
“Al dente” literally means “to the tooth”. It describes pasta that is cooked through but stays slightly firm in the centre. It is neither hard nor soft and does not fall apart. That texture makes the difference: the pasta carries the sauce instead of disappearing into it.
How to recognise the right point
- Taste a piece a minute before the time on the packet is up. The cooking time on the packet is a guideline, not a law.
- When you bite through it, a very fine, paler core may still show in the middle.
- The pasta feels springy, not sticky or mushy.
Tips for cooking at home
- Use plenty of water so the pasta has room and does not stick together.
- Salt the boiling water before the pasta goes in. A common guideline is about 10 grams of salt per litre.
- Stir now and then during the first minutes.
- Set aside a cup of the cooking water before draining. A splash of it helps the sauce bind to the pasta.
- Put the pasta straight into the sauce and toss it briefly instead of letting it drain for long.
Which pasta suits which sauce
An old rule of thumb: long, thin pasta such as spaghetti suits light sauces, for example with oil, garlic or tomato. Wider ribbons such as tagliatelle hold creamier sauces well, and short pasta such as penne catches robust sauces in its tubes. It is not a rule you have to follow, but it helps when choosing.
A look at our menu
On our menu you will find, for example, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, Spaghetti Carbonara, Penne Arrabiata and Tagliatelle al Salmone, as well as pizza, starters, salads and desserts.
Pasta in Potsdam-Babelsberg
You will find us at Alt Nowawes 34 in Potsdam-Babelsberg, Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30 to 23:00. If you would rather enjoy pasta than cook it yourself, feel free to reserve a table. We are also happy to answer questions by phone; you will find the number on our contact page.