Question 1

What is the science of cooking?

Accepted Answer

The science of cooking is about understanding how cooking works. It uses science to explain why food changes when we cook it.

Question 2

Why does bread rise when you bake it?

Accepted Answer

Bread rises because of yeast. Yeast is a tiny living thing that makes bubbles when mixed with flour and water, causing the bread to puff up.

Question 3

How does heat change food?

Accepted Answer

Heat makes food cook by changing its texture and flavor. It can make food crispy, soft, or even melt it!

Question 4

Why do we add salt to food?

Accepted Answer

Salt makes food taste better. It brings out flavors and can also help make some foods last longer.

Question 5

What happens when water boils?

Accepted Answer

When water boils, it gets really hot and turns into steam. Boiling is used to cook things like pasta and eggs.

Question 6

Why does sugar melt and turn brown when heated?

Accepted Answer

Sugar melts because heat makes it change from a solid to a liquid, and it turns brown because of a process called caramelization, which makes it taste sweet and yummy.

Question 7

How does a microwave cook food?

Accepted Answer

A microwave cooks food using waves of energy that make water molecules in the food move. This movement creates heat, which cooks the food quickly.

Question 8

Why do apples turn brown when you cut them?

Accepted Answer

Apples turn brown because they react with air. This is called oxidation, and it happens when the inside of the apple meets oxygen.

Question 9

What makes hot peppers spicy?

Accepted Answer

Hot peppers are spicy because they have a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin tricks our mouth into feeling hot!

Question 10

Why does chocolate melt in your mouth?

Accepted Answer

Chocolate melts in your mouth because it has a special type of fat that melts at body temperature. That's why it feels smooth and creamy.

Question 11

What is fermentation in cooking?

Accepted Answer

Fermentation is when tiny organisms, like bacteria or yeast, change food. It makes things like yogurt, cheese, and pickles.

Question 12

Why do we need to cook some foods?

Accepted Answer

We cook some foods to make them safe to eat, to make them taste better, and to make them easier to digest.

Question 13

How do different cultures influence cooking?

Accepted Answer

Different cultures bring unique flavors and cooking styles. This means we have a wide variety of foods from around the world to try.

Question 14

What is a recipe?

Accepted Answer

A recipe is a set of instructions for making a dish. It tells you what ingredients you need and how to put them together.

Question 15

Why does milk turn into cheese?

Accepted Answer

Milk turns into cheese through a process called curdling, where it thickens and separates into solids and liquid. Then it's aged to develop flavor.

Question 16

Why do we need to measure ingredients in cooking?

Accepted Answer

We measure ingredients to make sure we have the right amounts. This helps make the dish taste just right according to the recipe.

Question 17

What is baking soda used for in cooking?

Accepted Answer

Baking soda helps make baked goods like cakes and cookies fluffy. It releases a gas when mixed with something wet and acidic, which makes the dough rise.

Question 18

Why do eggs change when cooked?

Accepted Answer

Eggs change when cooked because the heat makes the proteins in them stick together, turning them from runny to solid.

Question 19

How do you know when food is done cooking?

Accepted Answer

We know food is done by checking if it looks, smells, and tastes right. Sometimes we need to use a timer or a thermometer to be sure.

Question 20

What is the cultural significance of food?

Accepted Answer

Food is important to culture because it brings people together and represents traditions. Different foods tell stories about a culture’s history and values.

The Science of Cooking: Chemistry, Techniques, and Cultural Significance - 20 FAQs Explained Simply