Question 1

What is cooking?

Accepted Answer

Cooking is the process of preparing food by heating it. This makes the food taste better and can make it safer to eat.

Question 2

Why does an egg turn solid when you cook it?

Accepted Answer

When you cook an egg, the heat changes the egg's proteins. This change makes the liquid egg white and yolk become solid.

Question 3

Why does bread rise in the oven?

Accepted Answer

Bread rises because it has tiny creatures called yeast inside. When yeast get warm, they make bubbles of gas that make the bread puff up.

Question 4

Why is water important in cooking?

Accepted Answer

Water helps cook food by boiling or steaming it. It also helps dissolve flavors and makes things like pasta and rice soft.

Question 5

Why does sugar turn brown when heated?

Accepted Answer

Sugar turns brown when heated because it melts and then starts to caramelize. This process makes it taste sweet and a little toasty.

Question 6

How does salt change the taste of food?

Accepted Answer

Salt makes food taste better by bringing out the flavors. It can also help preserve food to keep it from spoiling.

Question 7

What makes popcorn pop?

Accepted Answer

Popcorn pops because there's a little water inside each kernel. When it's heated, the water turns to steam and makes the kernel explode!

Question 8

Why do apples turn brown after cutting?

Accepted Answer

When you cut an apple, the inside reacts with air. This reaction causes it to turn brown, but it's still safe to eat.

Question 9

Why does ice cream melt?

Accepted Answer

Ice cream melts because it's made mostly of water. When it gets warm, the cold ice inside turns back into liquid.

Question 10

What makes spicy food feel hot?

Accepted Answer

Spicy food feels hot because it has a special chemical called capsaicin. This chemical tricks your mouth into feeling like it's burning.

Question 11

Why do we cook meat?

Accepted Answer

We cook meat to make it taste better and kill any harmful germs. Cooking makes the meat easier to chew and digest.

Question 12

What makes bread crust crispy?

Accepted Answer

Bread crust is crispy because of the heat in the oven. The outside of the bread dries out and gets crunchy while cooking.

Question 13

Why does cheese melt?

Accepted Answer

Cheese melts because it's mostly made of fat and protein. When heated, these parts soften and start to flow.

Question 14

How do you make a hard-boiled egg?

Accepted Answer

To make a hard-boiled egg, boil an egg in water for about 10 minutes. Then take it out and let it cool down before peeling.

Question 15

Why do onions make you cry?

Accepted Answer

Onions make you cry because they release a gas when cut. This gas irritates your eyes and makes them water.

Question 16

What is a balanced diet?

Accepted Answer

A balanced diet has a mix of different foods, like fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains. Eating a variety of foods helps you get the nutrients you need to be healthy.

Question 17

Why do we use baking powder in cakes?

Accepted Answer

Baking powder helps cakes rise and get fluffy. It makes bubbles that expand when heated, making the cake bigger and softer.

Question 18

What happens when you freeze food?

Accepted Answer

Freezing food slows down germs and keeps it fresh longer. The cold temperature stops food from spoiling quickly.

Question 19

Why does chocolate melt in your hand?

Accepted Answer

Chocolate melts in your hand because your hand is warm. The heat from your hand makes the solid chocolate turn into liquid.

Question 20

How does fruit get ripe?

Accepted Answer

Fruit gets ripe by using chemicals called enzymes. These enzymes change the fruit's color, flavor, and texture, making it sweeter and softer.

The Science of Cooking and Food Chemistry - 20 FAQs Explained Simply