Question 1

What is cooking in terms of chemistry?

Accepted Answer

Cooking is like mixing things together to make something new. It's like a science experiment where heat and ingredients come together to change food and make it taste yummy.

Question 2

Why does bread rise in the oven?

Accepted Answer

Bread rises because of tiny bubbles of gas inside it. These bubbles get bigger when you bake the bread, which makes it puff up.

Question 3

Why do onions make us cry?

Accepted Answer

Onions release a gas when you cut them. This gas can make our eyes tear up as a way to protect them.

Question 4

Why does meat change color when it's cooked?

Accepted Answer

Meat changes color because heat changes the proteins inside it. It's like when you see leaves change color in the fall.

Question 5

What makes popcorn pop?

Accepted Answer

Popcorn pops because there's a tiny bit of water inside the kernel. When it gets hot, this water turns into steam and makes the popcorn burst out of its shell.

Question 6

Why do we use salt in cooking?

Accepted Answer

Salt helps to bring out the flavor in food. It's like a magic ingredient that makes food taste better.

Question 7

How does sugar turn into caramel?

Accepted Answer

When you heat sugar, it melts and then turns into caramel. It's like a magical transformation from white crystals to a golden, sticky treat.

Question 8

Why does ice cream melt?

Accepted Answer

Ice cream melts because it warms up above freezing, and the solid ice turns back into liquid. It's like when snow turns into water on a sunny day.

Question 9

What makes a cake rise?

Accepted Answer

A cake rises because of leavening agents like baking powder that produce gas. This gas makes bubbles that get trapped in the batter, making it fluffy.

Question 10

Why does oil float on water?

Accepted Answer

Oil floats on water because it's lighter than water. It's like how a boat stays on top of the lake.

Question 11

Why do we cook food?

Accepted Answer

We cook food to make it safe to eat and to make it taste good. Cooking also makes food softer and easier to chew.

Question 12

How do spices add flavor to food?

Accepted Answer

Spices have natural compounds that change how food tastes and smells. They’re like tiny packets of flavor that spread through a dish to make it more exciting.

Question 13

Why do cookies turn golden brown when baked?

Accepted Answer

Cookies turn golden brown because of a reaction between sugar and heat called the Maillard reaction. It gives them their delicious flavor and color.

Question 14

What happens when you marinate food?

Accepted Answer

Marinating is when you soak food in a flavored liquid. This lets the flavors seep into the food, making it tastier.

Question 15

Why do bananas turn brown over time?

Accepted Answer

Bananas turn brown because of a chemical reaction with the air. It's similar to how apple slices change color when left out.

Question 16

How does yeast make dough rise?

Accepted Answer

Yeast eat sugar and produce gas as a byproduct. This gas makes bubbles that make the dough expand, or rise.

Question 17

Why does milk sometimes curdle?

Accepted Answer

Milk curdles when the proteins clump together. This can happen when milk gets too sour or is heated.

Question 18

How does grilling make food taste different?

Accepted Answer

Grilling uses high heat to create a unique smoky flavor. It's similar to the flavors you get when food is roasted over a campfire.

Question 19

What makes chocolate melt in your mouth?

Accepted Answer

Chocolate melts in your mouth because it's made with fats that liquefy at body temperature. It’s designed to be smooth and creamy.

Question 20

Why do we use vinegar in cooking?

Accepted Answer

Vinegar adds a tangy taste to food. It can also help make things tender or keep food from spoiling.

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