Question 1

What happens when you heat food?

Accepted Answer

When food is heated, it changes color, texture, and flavor. Heat makes food softer and sometimes crispy. It's like a magic trick that makes food tastier and easier to eat.

Question 2

Why does bread rise in the oven?

Accepted Answer

Bread rises because of a little thing called yeast. Yeast helps the dough puff up like a balloon. When you bake it, the heat makes it big and fluffy.

Question 3

Why does ice cream melt when it's warm?

Accepted Answer

Ice cream melts when warm because it's mostly made of water, and the heat turns the ice back into liquid. This makes it creamy and easy to eat with a spoon.

Question 4

How does popcorn pop?

Accepted Answer

Popcorn pops because there's a tiny bit of water inside each kernel. When you heat it, the water turns to steam, and the kernel explodes, turning inside out.

Question 5

Why do apples turn brown when cut?

Accepted Answer

Apples turn brown when cut because air gets to the inside. This causes a reaction with the apple's juice that changes its color. It's like how an old coin looks when it gets rusty.

Question 6

Why does sugar turn brown when heated?

Accepted Answer

When sugar is heated, it melts and turns brown due to caramelization. This reaction makes sugar taste different, giving baked goodies their yummy aroma.

Question 7

What makes bread crunchy on the outside?

Accepted Answer

Bread becomes crunchy outside because the oven's heat dries out the surface. It's like the sun drying a puddle of water, leaving the ground hard and crispy.

Question 8

Why does cutting onions make you cry?

Accepted Answer

Onions release a gas when cut that mixes with water in your eyes, making them sting. It's like when you peel too many oranges, and the juice squirts into your eyes.

Question 9

Why does milk turn sour if left out?

Accepted Answer

Milk turns sour because tiny bacteria start growing in it. They change the milk sugar into an acid that makes it taste tangy and smell funny.

Question 10

How does jelly set and become solid?

Accepted Answer

Jelly sets because of an ingredient called gelatin or pectin. When the jelly mixture cools, these ingredients make it firm and wobbly, just like magic.

Question 11

Why do we add salt to boiling water?

Accepted Answer

Adding salt to boiling water makes food taste better. It also raises the water's boiling point a tiny bit, which can help food cook more evenly.

Question 12

Why do eggs change from clear to white when cooked?

Accepted Answer

Eggs change color when cooked because heat makes the clear part firm and white. It's like melting a clear candle and seeing it turn white and opaque.

Question 13

How does yeast make bread rise?

Accepted Answer

Yeast makes bread rise by eating the sugars in the dough and releasing gas. This gas gets trapped in the dough, making it puff up.

Question 14

Why do cookies spread out when baking?

Accepted Answer

Cookies spread because the butter and sugar melt in the oven heat. This causes the dough to flatten and form the cookie shape we love.

Question 15

How does cheese melt?

Accepted Answer

Cheese melts because the heat pulls its proteins apart, turning it gooey. This makes it stretchy and perfect for pizzas and sandwiches.

Question 16

Why is it important to preheat the oven?

Accepted Answer

Preheating the oven makes sure it is hot enough to cook food. It helps food start cooking right away, so it turns out just right.

Question 17

What does baking soda do in baking?

Accepted Answer

Baking soda helps dough and batter puff up by releasing gas. It's like blowing bubbles into dough, making it light and airy.

Question 18

Why does meat turn brown when cooked?

Accepted Answer

Meat turns brown because the heat changes its proteins and sugars. This reaction adds flavor, making the meat more delicious and smell great.

Question 19

Why should you let food cool before putting it in the fridge?

Accepted Answer

Cooling food before putting it in the fridge helps prevent temperature spikes. It makes sure your fridge stays cold, keeping all your food fresh.

Question 20

How does frying make food crispy?

Accepted Answer

Frying makes food crispy because the hot oil removes water and cooks the outside quickly. This forms a crunchy crust, while the inside stays moist.

The Science of Cooking: Understanding Culinary Reactions - 20 FAQs Explained Simply