After boiling potatoes, people can use the water in various ways instead of discarding it. Here are a few common uses for the water leftover from boiling potatoes:
Cooking liquid: The starchy water from boiled potatoes can be used as a cooking liquid for other dishes. It adds flavor and thickness to soups, stews, and gravies. The starch released from the potatoes can act as a natural thickening agent.
Stock or broth base: The potato water can serve as a base for making vegetable stock or broth. You can add other vegetable scraps, herbs, and spices to enhance the flavor and create a nutritious stock for use in recipes.
Plant fertilizer: The water used to boil potatoes contains nutrients that can be beneficial for plants. Once it cools down, you can use it to water your houseplants or garden. The starchy water provides a source of minerals and can act as a natural fertilizer.
Bread-making: Some bread recipes call for the addition of starchy water to enhance the texture and flavor of the bread. You can replace a portion of the water in the bread recipe with the potato water to give the bread a softer, more tender crumb.
Skin care: The starch in potato water can have soothing and hydrating properties for the skin. Once cooled, you can use it as a facial toner or soak a cloth in it and apply it as a compress for irritated or inflamed skin.
These are just a few examples of what you can do with the water after boiling potatoes. The specific uses may vary depending on personal preferences and creativity in the kitchen.