Question 1

Why does bread rise when it bakes?

Accepted Answer

Bread rises because of tiny living things called yeast. They eat the sugar in the dough and make bubbles of gas, which puff up the dough.

Question 2

Why do onions make people cry?

Accepted Answer

When you cut an onion, it releases a gas that mixes with water in your eyes to make a mild acid. Your eyes get irritated and start to water to wash the acid away.

Question 3

How does grilling make food taste good?

Accepted Answer

Grilling uses high heat to cook food quickly, giving it a smoky flavor. The heat makes the outside crispy and caramelized, which is part of what tastes so yummy.

Question 4

What happens when you boil water?

Accepted Answer

When water boils, it turns from a liquid to a gas called steam. The heat makes the water molecules move super fast until they fly into the air.

Question 5

Why does cooking an egg make it turn solid?

Accepted Answer

Eggs are full of proteins that change shape when heated. These proteins lock together to make the egg firm.

Question 6

Why does meat turn brown when you cook it?

Accepted Answer

When meat is heated, chemical reactions happen, turning it brown and giving it a delicious flavor. This is called the Maillard reaction.

Question 7

Why does ice cream melt in the heat?

Accepted Answer

Ice cream melts because heat makes the solid ice cream turn back into a liquid. The warmer it gets, the faster it melts.

Question 8

How does marinating make food taste better?

Accepted Answer

Marinating adds flavor to food by soaking it in a tasty liquid. This liquid can also make the food tender before cooking it.

Question 9

Why does popcorn pop?

Accepted Answer

Popcorn pops because the heat makes the tiny bit of water inside the kernel turn to steam. The steam builds up until the kernel bursts open!

Question 10

What makes cookies crispy or chewy?

Accepted Answer

The way cookies are cooked can make them crispy or chewy. More sugar and cooking longer makes them crispy, while more butter and less time makes them chewy.

Question 11

Why does frying make food crispy?

Accepted Answer

Frying cooks food in hot oil, which removes water from the outside and makes it crispy. The oil also adds a yummy flavor.

Question 12

How does steaming cook vegetables?

Accepted Answer

Steaming cooks vegetables by surrounding them with hot steam. This makes them hot and tender but still tasty and colorful.

Question 13

Why do baked goods rise in the oven?

Accepted Answer

Baked goods rise because heat makes baking powder or yeast produce gas bubbles. These bubbles make the dough light and fluffy.

Question 14

Why does chocolate melt in your hand?

Accepted Answer

Chocolate melts because it's made of fat that gets soft with just a little heat. Your body heat is enough to make it melt!

Question 15

How does salt change the taste of food?

Accepted Answer

Salt makes food taste better by bringing out other flavors. It helps balance sweet, sour, or bitter tastes.

Question 16

Why does simmering make soup thick?

Accepted Answer

Simmering soup for a long time lets water evaporate, making it thicker. It also lets flavors from ingredients blend together nicely.

Question 17

Why do we use oil when baking cake?

Accepted Answer

Oil helps make cakes moist and soft because it adds fat. It also helps mix the ingredients together smoothly.

Question 18

What does kneading do to bread dough?

Accepted Answer

Kneading mixes the dough well and helps the stretchy stuff called gluten form. Gluten makes the bread chewy and helps it rise.

Question 19

Why do vegetables change color when cooked?

Accepted Answer

Cooking breaks down cells in the vegetables, changing their color. For example, bright green beans can become a duller green.

Question 20

Why do we add lemon to fish before cooking?

Accepted Answer

Lemon juice is sour and can balance the taste of fish. It also helps the fish stay soft and adds a fresh flavor.

The Chemistry of Cooking Techniques - 20 FAQs Explained Simply