Question 1

What is the science of culinary techniques?

Accepted Answer

It's about understanding how cooking works. It's like using cool tricks and knowing why things happen when we cook food.

Question 2

Why does bread rise when we bake it?

Accepted Answer

Bread rises because of yeast. Yeast makes tiny bubbles of gas that make the dough puff up like a balloon.

Question 3

How does heat cook food?

Accepted Answer

Heat makes food go from raw to cooked. It changes the texture, color, and taste by moving energy into the food.

Question 4

Why does ice cream melt?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Why do we boil pasta?

Accepted Answer

Boiling pasta makes it soft and easy to eat. The hot water cooks the noodles and makes them yummy.

Question 6

What happens when we crack an egg into a hot pan?

Accepted Answer

The heat from the pan cooks the egg. The clear part turns white, and the egg becomes firm.

Question 7

Why do we need to stir soup?

Accepted Answer

Stirring soup helps mix everything evenly. It makes sure all parts of the soup are the right temperature.

Question 8

How does baking a cake work?

Accepted Answer

Baking a cake is like using a magic oven. Heat makes the cake rise and cook until it's soft and fluffy.

Question 9

Why do cookies smell so good when baking?

Accepted Answer

When cookies bake, the heat releases yummy smells. These smells tell us they are almost ready to eat!

Question 10

What turns pickles sour?

Accepted Answer

Pickles become sour from vinegar or special salty water. This makes them tangy and preserves them.

Question 11

Why do we chill dough before baking cookies?

Accepted Answer

Chilling dough helps cookies keep their shape. It makes them taste better by letting flavors mix.

Question 12

How does popcorn pop?

Accepted Answer

Popcorn pops because heat makes water inside the kernel turn into steam. The pressure builds up and the kernel explodes!

Question 13

Why do apples turn brown when cut?

Accepted Answer

Apples turn brown because air mixes with parts of the apple. This is a natural change that happens quickly.

Question 14

How do we make pasta not stick together?

Accepted Answer

By stirring it in boiling water and using a little oil. This keeps the noodles from sticking.

Question 15

Why does chocolate melt in your hand?

Accepted Answer

Chocolate melts because it's sensitive to heat. Your hand is warm, which softens the chocolate.

Question 16

How can we keep bananas from turning brown?

Accepted Answer

You can wrap the banana stalks with plastic wrap. This slows down the browning process.

Question 17

Why do some foods taste better cold?

Accepted Answer

Cold food can taste better because it's refreshing. It can also slow down strong flavors, making them softer.

Question 18

What makes soup thicker when cooking?

Accepted Answer

Soup gets thicker because of ingredients like flour or potatoes. These ingredients absorb water and make it creamy.

Question 19

Why do cakes have to cool before frosting them?

Accepted Answer

Cool cakes don't melt the frosting. This keeps the frosting neat and tidy on top.

Question 20

What is the Maillard reaction?

Accepted Answer

It happens when we cook food and it turns golden brown. This makes it taste and smell extra yummy!

The Science of Culinary Techniques - 20 FAQs Explained Simply