hardness

Definition

A measurement of dissolved minerals (primarily calcium and magnesium) in water, expressed in parts per million. Hard water is basically nature's way of telling you that your dishwasher will never reach peak performance.

Example Usage

The water hardness in this region is 300 ppm, which means descaling the espresso machine weekly is a non-negotiable ritual.

Source: Common culinary and chemistry terminology via Free Dictionary API

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