Question 1

What is food science?

Accepted Answer

Food science is the study of how we cook and prepare our food. It helps us understand what happens when we cook, like why bread rises or why ice cream is smooth.

Question 2

How does heat change food?

Accepted Answer

When you heat food, it can change color, texture, and flavor. For example, heating can turn a raw egg white from clear and runny to white and firm.

Question 3

Why does bread rise?

Accepted Answer

Bread rises because of yeast. Yeast makes tiny bubbles of gas inside the dough, making it fluffy and bigger.

Question 4

What makes vegetables change color when cooked?

Accepted Answer

Cooking vegetables changes their color because heat affects their natural pigments. For example, broccoli can turn a brighter green when cooked for a short time.

Question 5

Why does chocolate melt in your hands?

Accepted Answer

Chocolate melts in your hands because it is sensitive to heat. Your body heat is enough to change it from a solid to a creamy liquid.

Question 6

What causes bread to have a crust?

Accepted Answer

When bread bakes, the outside gets hot and dries out, forming a crust. The crust is browner and tougher than the inside because of the heat and moisture changes.

Question 7

Why does popcorn pop?

Accepted Answer

Popcorn pops because there is a little bit of water inside each kernel. When the kernel gets hot, the water turns to steam, builds up pressure, and pops the corn open.

Question 8

How does salt make food taste better?

Accepted Answer

Salt brings out the natural flavors in food. It can make sweet things taste sweeter and savory things taste richer.

Question 9

What makes jelly solid?

Accepted Answer

Jelly becomes solid because of a substance called gelatin. Gelatin traps water, and when it cools down, it turns the liquid into a wobbly solid.

Question 10

Why do apples turn brown when cut?

Accepted Answer

An apple turns brown when cut because of a chemical reaction with oxygen in the air. The cells inside break open and react with the oxygen, changing color.

Question 11

How do spices add flavor to food?

Accepted Answer

Spices add flavor because they contain special oils and compounds. These give different scents and tastes that make food more interesting.

Question 12

What makes meat tender?

Accepted Answer

Meat becomes tender when it's cooked just right. Heat breaks down tough parts of the meat, making it softer and easier to chew.

Question 13

Why do onions make you cry?

Accepted Answer

Onions make you cry because cutting them releases a gas. This gas reacts with your eyes and makes them sting and water to protect themselves.

Question 14

How does baking soda help a cake rise?

Accepted Answer

Baking soda helps a cake rise by creating bubbles in the batter. These bubbles form when the baking soda reacts with an acid in the mixture.

Question 15

What happens to sugar when it's heated?

Accepted Answer

When sugar is heated, it melts and turns brown. This process is called caramelization, and it gives sugar a rich flavor.

Question 16

Why do we cook some foods?

Accepted Answer

We cook foods to make them safe to eat and tastier. Cooking can also soften food, making it easier to digest.

Question 17

How can we tell if pasta is cooked?

Accepted Answer

Pasta is cooked when it's soft but still has a little bite to it. You can try tasting it to see if it's just right.

Question 18

Why do cakes rise in the oven?

Accepted Answer

Cakes rise because of ingredients that create gas bubbles when heated. These bubbles expand during baking, making the cake fluffy.

Question 19

What makes ice cream smooth and creamy?

Accepted Answer

Ice cream is smooth because it's churned while freezing. This process keeps ice crystals small, and the cream stays silky.

Question 20

Why does cheese melt when heated?

Accepted Answer

Cheese melts because heat changes its structure. The heat makes the proteins and fats move around, turning solid cheese into a yummy gooey state.

The Chemistry of Cooking: Understanding Food Science - 20 FAQs Explained Simply