How is pasta dehydrated?

Pasta is not typically dehydrated. It is dried which is a different process.

Here's why:

* Dehydration removes water from food, resulting in a much smaller, lightweight product. This is often used for preserving fruits, vegetables, and some meats.

* Drying is a process that removes moisture from pasta but does not reduce it to a dehydrated state. The pasta still maintains its shape and texture, just in a dried form.

Here's how pasta is dried:

1. Extrusion: The pasta dough is pressed through dies to create the desired shape.

2. Drying: The extruded pasta is then spread out on racks or in drying chambers where it is exposed to controlled temperatures and humidity.

3. Curing: The pasta is further dried, resulting in a hard, shelf-stable product.

This process ensures that the pasta has a long shelf life and cooks properly when rehydrated in boiling water.