Water

Water is a fundamental ingredient in countless recipes, serving as both a cooking medium and a key component in the preparation of many dishes. Odorless, tasteless, and transparent, water plays a vital role in hydrating, dissolving, and combining other ingredients, making it indispensable in baking, boiling, steaming, and simmering. It helps regulate temperature during cooking, ensuring even heat distribution, and affects the texture and consistency of foods, such as doughs, soups, and sauces. Additionally, water is essential for activating yeast in bread-making, rehydrating dried ingredients, and creating the right environment for flavors to meld. Whether used in its pure form or as part of a broth or stock, water’s versatility and necessity make it one of the most important ingredients in any kitchen.

Water is one of the most essential and widely used ingredients in cooking, and while you won’t typically find it bottled in the usual grocery store aisles for everyday recipe use, it’s readily available from your kitchen tap. For most recipes, simply use cold, filtered tap water unless the recipe specifies otherwise. If your tap water isn’t suitable for drinking or you prefer a purer taste, bottled water can be found in the beverage aisle, often near sodas, juices, or sports drinks. Grocery stores usually carry a range of bottled water options, including spring, distilled, and purified water, in both individual and large gallon containers. For specialty recipes that require distilled or mineral-free water—such as for baking or making clear ice—look for distilled water in the same beverage section. Regardless of your choice, water is one of the most accessible ingredients you’ll need, and you can always ask a store associate for help if you’re looking for a particular type.