54 questions and answers in this section
Explain why sugar caramelizes when heated?
Foods and Ingredients

Explain why sugar caramelizes when heated?

Sugar caramelization is a complex chemical process that occurs when sugar is heated to a sufficiently high temperature, usually above 170°C. When sugar is heated, sucrose molecules...

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Explain why rice absorbs water when cooking.
Foods and Ingredients

Explain why rice absorbs water when cooking.

Starch is a polysaccharide found in many foods, including rice. It is composed of two types of glucose molecules, amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is a...

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Explain why some Asian countries eat insects as traditional dishes?
Recipes and Preparations

Explain why some Asian countries eat insects as traditional dishes?

Consuming insects in some Asian countries is often linked to poverty and food insecurity. In these regions, insects are a cheap and easily accessible source...

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Explain why red wine is recommended for marinating meat.
Recipes and Preparations

Explain why red wine is recommended for marinating meat.

The phenolic compounds in red wine are molecules present in the skin and seeds of grapes used in its production. These compounds include flavonoids, tannins, and anthocyanins....

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Explain why baking soda is often used in cooking to make dishes more moist and fluffy.
Foods and Ingredients

Explain why baking soda is often used in cooking to make dishes more moist and fluffy.

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a widely used chemical compound in cooking for various applications. It is primarily used as a leavening...

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Explain why the taste of a tomato changes once it is cooked.
Foods and Ingredients

Explain why the taste of a tomato changes once it is cooked.

When the tomato is cooked, one of the main reasons for the change in its taste lies in the loss of water. Indeed, cooking leads...

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Explain why steaming better preserves the nutrients in food.
Foods and Ingredients

Explain why steaming better preserves the nutrients in food.

Steaming helps reduce the loss of water-soluble vitamins compared to other more aggressive cooking methods such as boiling or frying. Water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin C...

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Explain why honey is sweet?
Foods and Ingredients

Explain why honey is sweet?

Honey is sweet due to its particular chemical composition which contains a large amount of sugars, mainly glucose and fructose. These two simple sugars are...

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Explain why eggs are used as binding agents in many recipes?
Recipes and Preparations

Explain why eggs are used as binding agents in many recipes?

Eggs are often used as a binding agent in many recipes because of their ability to act as binders thanks to the proteins they contain. In fact,...

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Explain why is wasabi so spicy?
Foods and Ingredients

Explain why is wasabi so spicy?

Wasabi is a perennial plant native to Japan, known for the spicy taste of its root. This characteristic burning sensation is due to the presence...

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