Pasta Water Is Having A Moment (But Why Now?)

Avocado oil, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, charcoal, and matcha. What do they all have in common? They've all been the next big thing that people must have, use, eat, or drink to make them happier and healthier. Trends come and go, some faster than others (do you remember that canola oil trend? Most people won't), and there's always something ready to take over the trend throne that everyone is talking about. What's the new up-and-coming ingredient to hit the market? Pasta water.

Pasta water — or the water left over after you perfectly cook pasta — is often just poured down the drain when you strain the pasta, but you shouldn't waste it. Once you see why, you'll be thrilled to hang on to your pasta water, especially in this economy. But why has an ingredient that has been around for centuries started trending recently? Pasta water is having a moment, and it's easy to see why.

How does anything become trendy? Social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram make reaching millions of people easy. When you add an economy that's a little uncertain and a whole new generation trying to save time and money, it's easy to see how pasta water became so popular so fast. What's better than a free, versatile ingredient that most people have in their kitchen that can be easily stored and reused?

There has been a growth of online cooking communities, which have helped popularize new ways of using various ingredients. As home cooks experiment with new recipes and techniques, they are discovering the many benefits of using pasta water and sharing those discoveries with others. Pasta water has also become more popular because of the zero-waste movement, which encourages people to use all parts of their food to minimize waste. This starchy water allows cooks to make the most of their ingredients and reduce food waste.

Influencers across the internet latched on and are using leftover pasta water to beef up homemade sauces, thin out sauces that need to be diluted, reheat pasta, add extra flavor to soups and stews, make bread and dough, and much more. The trend has also taken pasta water out of the kitchen, and people are using it for everyday chores. 

Some influencers water plants with unsalted pasta water because the nutrients and minerals can benefit plant growth. Some people even claim that water from pasta (and rice) can help your hair grow if you rinse in it often. If you think that's weird, you're really going to be shocked to find out that fragrance company D.S. & DURGA sells a pasta water-scented candle that retails for $70. The candle is made from actual pasta water, with an earthy scent that makes it smell like a pot of boiling pasta.