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BuzzFeed Staff

Food

Don't believe everything a chef tells you.

Can You Tell Which Of These Popular Cooking "Facts" Are Actually Lies?

In fact, 5–85% of alcohol can remain in the food depending on how it is cooked. Learn more about cooking with alcohol [here](https://www.chowhound.com/food-news/54140/does-cooking-alcohol-really-burn-it-all-off/).

Alcohol doesn't _completely_ evaporate during cooking.

Alcohol completely evaporates during cooking 

Cutting steak against the grain shortens the muscle fibers, making it easier to chew. Learn how to properly cut your steak [here](http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/03/why-should-you-cut-meat-steak-against-the-grain.html).

Steak should _always_ be cut against the grain.

Cutting steak against the grain makes it tender

Searing is used to add flavor and texture to meats, not seal in their juices. Cooking at a high temperature causes meat to undergo the [Maillard reaction](http://www.scienceofcooking.com/maillard_reaction.htm), resulting in a nice crust with deep flavor.

Searing meat _does not_ seal in the juices.

The hottest part of the pepper is _actually_ the material surrounding the seeds. The seeds themselves have very little flavor. If you want to [tame the heat](http://www.instructables.com/id/Remove-the-Heat-of-a-Pepper-not-simply-de-seeding/), remove the inner pith, not just the seeds.

The seeds are _not_ the hottest part of the pepper.

The seeds of peppers contain the most heat

Instead of adding the pit, limit oxygen exposure by creating an airtight layer of oil or water (really!) on top of your guacamole. See the technique [here](http://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-way-to-keep-guacamole-green-tips-from-the-kitchn-193462).

Avocado pits don't prevent browning.

Storing guacamole with the pit prevents browning

This limits oxygen from entering the stem hole (a small tear from harvesting), thus slowing down the ripening process. See other ways to keep tomatoes fresh [here](https://food52.com/blog/13796-how-to-keep-tomatoes-fresh-for-longer).

Storing tomatoes upside down really does keep them fresher.

Storing tomatoes upside down will make them last longer

Stirring and making sure your water is at a full boil are the only ways to prevent pasta from sticking. Oil floats to the top of water, making it an actual waste. Even Alton Brown [agrees](http://www.thekitchn.com/why-alton-brown-doesnt-oil-his-pasta-water-179168).

Adding oil to pasta water will not prevent your pasta from sticking together.

Adding oil to boiling water will prevent pasta from sticking

In fact, adding salt to water actually increases the boiling point. Salt is used to season water, not speed up the cooking process. Read the science behind it [here](http://mentalfloss.com/article/60046/does-adding-salt-water-make-it-boil-sooner).

Salted water does not boil faster than unsalted water.

Adding salt to water will make it boil faster

Over-softening butter is a serious mistake that will prevent baked goods from creaming properly. Butter should only soften for 30–45 minutes before baking. If it feels completely pliable, it is over-softened. 
 Learn the correct way (yes, there is a _correct_ way) to soften butter [here](http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/how-to-soften-butter/).

Leaving butter out overnight will over-soften it.

You should soften butter overnight for baking

In fact, mushrooms are about 90% water to begin with. The key to successfully browning them is making sure they are completely dry before cooking. Let them dry on a towel-lined sheet tray for at least 15 minutes after washing. See how to properly wash them [here](http://www.marthastewart.com/1072744/fast-and-easy-way-clean-mushrooms).

Washing mushrooms in water _will not_ make them soggy.

Washing mushrooms in water will make them soggy

The paper bag traps the ethylene gas released by fruits, thus speeding up the ripening process. See other ways to ripen fruit [here](https://food52.com/blog/8064-how-to-ripen-fruit-faster).

Storing fruit in a paper bag _will actually_ speed up the ripening process.

Storing fruit in a paper bag can quickly ripen it

So go ahead, be a rebel and wash those mushrooms in water.

Now you know not to believe everything those fancy chefs tell you.

You used to believe what you were told, but you're a changed cook now.

You know your cooking facts from fiction.

You're a chef who can't be fooled!

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Can You Tell Which Of These Popular Cooking "Facts" Are Actually Lies?

There have been so many "facts" cooked up about food that it has become almost impossible to determine which are real. For each question, try to decide if the old wives' tale is actually helpful — or dicey at best.

Can You Tell Which Of These Popular Cooking "Facts" Are Actually Lies?

There have been so many "facts" cooked up about food that it has become almost impossible to determine which are real. For each question, try to decide if the old wives' tale is actually helpful — or dicey at best.

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