The term 'al dente' refers to pasta that is what?

The term 'al dente,' which is Italian for "to the tooth," refers to pasta that is cooked so that it is firm to the bite. This texture is desired because it gives the pasta a slight resistance when bitten into, creating a pleasant eating experience. Cooking pasta to this point helps maintain its shape and provides a better overall texture when served, as it continues to absorb flavors from sauces and other ingredients. Cooking pasta past this point would result in a mushy consistency, which is less desirable in many culinary applications. Therefore, firm to the bite is the characteristic that defines 'al dente' pasta.