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The Benefits of Cooking With Filtered Water

Tastier, more vibrant dishes will have your friends and family wondering what your secret is.
Posted in Bad Tasting Water, Drinking Water, Healthy Home, Tap Water, Water Filtration System, Water Problems, Water Treatment
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When preparing food for the holidays, you want to impress your guests with the best-tasting dishes possible. But did you know that your water quality is a key factor in serving the perfect meal?
In addition to leaving a spotty residue on dishes, hard water also affects your cooking and baking.
Read on to learn why it's best to use filtered water in the kitchen.

Filtered Water 101

Water filtration is a purification process that reduces substances that may be in your water supply.
For over 85 years, Culligan's water filtration systems have improved water quality for thousands of families worldwide. They reduce common contaminants* like:
  • Sulfur (rotten egg-like smell)
  • Chlorine (chemical taste and odor)
  • Iron (metallic taste)
  • Manganese (brown color)
  • Sediment (floating sand-like particles)
Plus additional contaminants such as:
  • Arsenic
  • Hexavalent Chromium
  • Industrial and pharmaceutical byproducts
  • PFOS and PFOA (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctanoic Acid)
Wondering how this works?

The Filtration Process

There are many types of water filters specific to different needs. But, they basically work the same way:
  • Stage 1: First, the water entering a home goes through a pre-filter. This removes larger particulates, contaminants and impurities. Including sediment and silt.
  • Stage 2: The water then undergoes a process to remove chlorine and chlorine-like contaminants. Chlorine plays an important role in municipal water treatment. It neutralizes biological contamination before it gets to your home. But, it can make drinking water taste and smell bad.
  • Stage 3: An activated carbon filter catches additional impurities missed in the first two stages.
  • Stage 4: Finally, the waste removal process flushes away the removed contaminants.

The Softening Process

Water softeners use ion exchange to reduce dissolved minerals that filters don't catch. For example, these minerals include calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese.
Here are the three stages:
  • 1: Hard water enters a resin tank.
  • 2: The water flows through a bed of beads covered with sodium or potassium ions.
  • 3: The hard ions trade places with the softer ones. Which eliminates impurities in the water.
So, how can these processes affect your cooking?

Cooking With Softened or Filtered Water

Some of the advantages of cooking with filtered water include:
  • Better taste and smell
  • Improved texture
  • Brighter colors
  • Reduced contaminants and sediments
Let's take a look at some specific examples.

Produce

Broccoli, carrots, green beans and so many other vegetables are vibrant and crunchy before being cooked. So, why do they sometimes taste flimsy and dull after? Poor water quality could be the issue.
However, fear not. Filtering your water from excessive mineral levels will help keep your produce fresh throughout the cooking process.

Rice, Noodles and Beans

Rice, noodles and beans do not have much flavor on their own. As a result, the water used in cooking these foods is so much more important.
For example, if the water smells like rotten eggs, your noodles might taste the same. Likewise, brown rice or red beans may lose color due to minerals in hard or unfiltered water.

Baked Goods

Nothing can foil a baking recipe like unfiltered water. If you follow directions precisely and triple-check the measurements. The recipe can still turn out incorrect. Don't be hard on yourself. It's likely your water's fault.
Soft, filtered water is essential for baking. Especially bread.
Minerals such as calcium, magnesium and chlorine in unfiltered water affect the performance of ingredients like yeast. These minerals change the gluten structure of the dough. Which slows down the rising process.
Filtered or softened water stops the issue at the faucet. So you can bake tasty treats every time.

Beverages

Similarly, many popular beverages share a common ingredient: water. And water makes a big difference in the way that these beverages taste.
Whether brewed or steeped, crafted with cold water or mixed with ice. Drinks taste best with filtered water.

Culligan Filtered Water

At Culligan, we want to provide the best water solution for your unique household. So you will always have safe, healthy water to consume.

Whole House Water Filter

A Culligan Whole House Water Filter delivers amazing results when it comes to softening and filtering your home's water.
The dual system gets rid of hard minerals that cause scale buildup. At the same time, it reduces chlorine, sulfur and other contaminants that contribute to bad taste and smell.

Drinking Water Filter Systems

Culligan's drinking water systems reduce common contaminants found in tap water. And deliver better, healthier water for your whole family to enjoy.
Their streamlined designs can be conveniently installed in all different types of locations. Which gives you flexibility.
We have plenty of options for every household's needs including the Aquasential® Smart Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System.

Culligan water Softening Systems

Our high-quality, efficient water softeners are the best solution to the damaging, expensive effects of hard water.
The Culligan Aquasential™ High Efficiency Water Softener is a popular option. Featuring Aqua-Sensor® technology, it automatically adjusts to changes in your home's water conditions.
In order to recommend the perfect water softening solutions for you and your budget, your local Culligan water expert will review you:
  • Water hardness
  • Household size
  • Home's plumbing
Every one of our systems and installation plans are customized based on your unique water treatment needs.

Getting Started With Filtered Water

When preparing any food or drink in your kitchen, consider a Culligan water filtration system for best results. We offer customized solutions that fit your lifestyle, goals and budget.
To learn more and find out which water filter is right for you, contact your local water expert today.
*Contaminants may not be in your water.