Food

The Benefits

Soft Water Effects… ensuring your cooking and baking is free from impurities.

Hard water is full of minerals such as calcium and magnesium which most people understand causes limescale build up and other issues throughout the house. However, what most don’t realise is that hard water can also have a negative impact on your food. The minerals in hard water can affect the flavour, texture and even the colour of your cooking or baking.

All of the dissolved minerals in hard water change the structure of gluten and can impact the performance of yeast, it can make your dough seem rubbery or tough, perhaps even causing it not to rise as much when using self-rising flour.

The minerals in hard water make it harder for flour to absorb water when baking in the oven and can even slow down the fermentation process of yeast. Something else to consider when using water is the pH level. A lot of experts will suggest using water that is slightly acidic for baking, but hard water is more alkaline due to the higher pH level. Water with a pH level of below 7 will help yeast to perform at its best.

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It isn’t just baking that hard water affects. It can also change the appearance and texture of food. Using hard water to boil vegetables can cause them to become tough and lose their vibrant colour. It takes longer to boil hard water due to the fact that the boiling point of the water is increased. This can be a hindrance when you want to cook something quickly but have to wait for the water to get to boiling point.

Minerals present in hard water 

The hard water that is supplied by a tap has chlorine added to it to make it safe to drink. However, this can cause vegetables to become dull when cooked or steamed in hard water due to the ‘bleaching’ effect.

Not everyone likes the flavour of hard water, so you must keep in mind that the flavour can transfer to the food you are cooking in it, such as pasta, rice, noodles and beans. We can imagine that will definitely spoil your dinner for you.

The Facts

  • Soft water will increase the lifespan of your household appliances and keep them running at their best.
  • A water softener will trap the potentially harmful minerals that can damage and block your plumbing.
  • A water softener will ensure there are no mineral build-ups, ensuring you have an optimal flow of water.
  • Limescale build up is eliminated, making your taps and appliances much easier to clean.
  • A water softener will ensure there is no strain on hot water appliances, keeping your heating bill down.
  • A water softener will supply your boiler with the ideal water, prolonging its lifespan and saving you money.
  • No more limescale in your kettle, making that morning cuppa' even better!