Chemistry

On a recent viewing of the show Hot Ones , where celebrities eat wings that get progressively spicier while being interviewed. As the wings continue to get spicier and the Scoville level passes 40,000, I can feel my own throat and skin radiating with heat as I continue watching them even though I’m not the one eating the wings. More so, I sympathize with the urge for celebrities to grab a bottle of milk to drown out the heat. That urge was the moment I grew interested in why

Cilantro, the green leaves and stems of the Coriandrum sativum plant, is one of the most interesting and divisive ingredients in the culinary world. While some people enjoy its fresh, citrusy flavor, others find it unpleasant with an unmistakable soapy smell. This is not just a matter of preference; according to published data, betwee n 3% and 21% of the population is genetically predisposed to perceive cilantro as soapy (Clinic, 2025) . Figure 1. A bowl of cilantro read

As intimidating as it sounds, microencapsulation may seem like some crazy aeronautic operation in sci-fi movies, but it is actually an innovative tool used in the food industry. When designing food products for their flavor, nutritional value, and shelf-life, it is important to consider how the chemical composition of a product influences is success in distribution, especially when its ingredients may be susceptible to degradation from the surrounding environment. To prevent

MSG (monosodium glutamate) is the sodium salt of one of the most commonly occurring amino acids, glutamic acid . This non-essential amino acid is naturally synthesized in the human body and in many high-protein foods, tomatoes, cheese, and mushrooms, creating the umami flavor described as savory and meaty (Glutamate, 2022) . Although glutamic acid is abundant and safe, its counterpart MSG, an isolated and concentrated form, has gained a controversial reputation after a seri

The TV dinner has been a staple of many American households since the 1950s. Swanson, a food company, turned this idea into a commercial...

There are five types of tastes. Everyone is familiar with the first four - sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. However, the umami taste has...

How did the calorie become the standard unit to measure the energy of food? Originally used by scientists, it made its way onto...

What’s in Your Pre-Workout? Pre-workouts are a potent mix of supplements that boost performance before exercise. Most contain a blend of...

The Taste Test On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, I biked down to Matcha Cafe Maiko, a specialty matcha cafe located near the Fens, not too...

Protein powder has gained immense popularity within the past decade. Coming in all different shapes, sizes, and strange flavors (like...

A culinary phenomenon, croissants are famous for their delectable taste and beloved texture. Their complexity of flavor and irresistible...