Do noodles expand when you add water?

* Starch Absorption: Noodles are primarily made of starch. When you add water and heat it, the starch granules absorb the water, causing them to swell and expand. This is the main reason for the noticeable increase in size.

* Gluten Development: Noodles often contain gluten, a protein found in wheat. When mixed with water and heat, gluten forms a network that traps water, further contributing to expansion.

* Cooking Time: The longer you cook noodles, the more water they absorb and the more they expand.

The specific amount of expansion depends on the type of noodle (e.g., spaghetti expands more than rice noodles), the cooking method, and the amount of water used.