- For a discussion of the phenomenon of boiling in physics, see Boiling
point.
In cookery, boiling is cooking food in boiling water, or other water-based liquid such as milk. Gentle
boiling is sometimes called poaching.
Under special conditions, a liquid heated may show boiling delay when
heated over its boiling point, by starting to boil suddenly and
violently.
In places where the available water supply is contaminated with disease-causing
bacteria, boiling water (and allowing it to cool) before drinking it is a valuable
health measure. Boiling water for a few minutes kills most bacteria, amoebas, and other
microbial pathogens. It thus can help prevent cholera, dysentery, and other diseases caused by these
organisms.
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