Question 1

What happens when you cook food?

Accepted Answer

When you cook food, it gets hot, and this changes how it tastes, looks, and smells. The heat makes the ingredients mix differently and brings out new flavors.

Question 2

Why does bread rise when you bake it?

Accepted Answer

Bread rises because of tiny bubbles made by yeast. The yeast eats sugar and makes gas, which gets trapped in the dough and makes it puff up.

Question 3

Why does cutting onions make you cry?

Accepted Answer

Onions have a special chemical that turns into a gas when you cut them. This gas can make your eyes sting and tear up.

Question 4

How does grilling make food taste different?

Accepted Answer

Grilling uses high heat to cook food, creating a smoky flavor and crispy, brown bits. Those tasty bits are made because the sugars and proteins get cooked quickly.

Question 5

Why does chocolate melt in your mouth?

Accepted Answer

Chocolate melts in your mouth because it's made mostly of fat and sugar, which melt at your body temperature. This makes it smooth and creamy when you eat it.

Question 6

Why do apples turn brown when you cut them?

Accepted Answer

Apples turn brown because the air reacts with chemicals inside the fruit. This reaction makes the apple look brown, but it's still safe to eat.

Question 7

Why does toast get crunchy?

Accepted Answer

Toast gets crunchy because heat dries out the bread and cooks its surface. This makes the bread harder and gives it a nice, toasty flavor.

Question 8

What makes popcorn pop?

Accepted Answer

Popcorn pops because there's a tiny bit of water inside each kernel. When heated, the water turns into steam, and the pressure causes the kernel to explode and turn inside out.

Question 9

Why do eggs change when you cook them?

Accepted Answer

When you cook eggs, the heat changes the proteins inside them. These proteins rearrange into a solid form, making the egg change from runny to firm.

Question 10

Why does candy get sticky when it's hot?

Accepted Answer

Candy gets sticky because sugar can melt with heat. When the sugar melts, it becomes gooey, making the candy stick to things.

Question 11

What makes soda fizzy?

Accepted Answer

Soda is fizzy because it has a gas called carbon dioxide mixed into it. When you open a soda bottle, the gas escapes and makes bubbles.

Question 12

Why does salt make water boil faster?

Accepted Answer

Actually, salt makes water take longer to boil, not faster! But it can make the boiling water hotter, which can help cook food quicker.

Question 13

What causes meat to become tender or tough?

Accepted Answer

Meat becomes tender when cooked slowly with moisture, breaking down tough fibers. If cooked quickly or without enough moisture, it can become tough.

Question 14

Why do spices taste stronger when cooked?

Accepted Answer

Spices taste stronger when cooked because the heat helps release their essential oils. This makes them smell and taste more intense in your food.

Question 15

How does pickling preserve food?

Accepted Answer

Pickling preserves food by soaking it in vinegar or salty water, which stops bacteria from growing. This keeps the food from spoiling and adds a tangy taste.

Question 16

Why does baking soda make cakes rise?

Accepted Answer

Baking soda makes cakes rise by creating gas bubbles when mixed with something wet and acidic. These bubbles help the cake become light and fluffy.

Question 17

What changes occur when you freeze food?

Accepted Answer

When you freeze food, the water inside it turns to ice, slowing down any spoilage. This helps keep the food fresh for a longer time.

Question 18

Why does boiling change the color of vegetables?

Accepted Answer

Boiling can change the color of vegetables because heat affects their natural pigments. Some vegetables might lose their bright color, but they're still good to eat.

Question 19

What makes milk turn sour?

Accepted Answer

Milk turns sour because bacteria in it eat the sugar and make an acid. This changes the taste and smell, and makes the milk thicker.

Question 20

How does sugar caramelize?

Accepted Answer

Sugar caramelizes when heated, turning a golden color and tasting sweeter. The heat causes the sugar to melt and change into a syrupy, tasty substance.

The Chemistry of Cooking: Reactions, Techniques, and Flavor - 20 FAQs Explained Simply