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If you've ever eaten pasta in Italy and wondered why it tasted so different from what you cook at home, the answer is probably two words: al dente. What does "al dente" mean? Al dente is Italian for "to the tooth." It describes pasta that is cooked until it is tender but still firm when you bite into it. There is a gentle resistance, a pleasant chew, and no mushy, soft texture. A well-cooked al dente piece of pasta has a slightly firm center. If you cut or bite a strand in ha