What is a colander primarily used for?

A colander is primarily used to separate solid foods from liquids, making it an essential tool in the kitchen for tasks such as draining pasta, rinsing vegetables, or removing excess water from canned beans. The design of a colander, with its perforated structure, allows liquids to pass through while retaining solid food items, facilitating easy and efficient food preparation. This functionality is key in many cooking processes, ensuring that food is properly prepared without excess moisture.

The other options reflect different kitchen tools or purposes: measuring ingredients, serving soups, and whipping are all tasks typically handled by other specialized utensils. Therefore, understanding the primary use of a colander helps clarify its importance in culinary applications.