Charcoal might seem like a strange thing to put in your food. But it’s there – from the little black specks in your water filter to trendy charcoal lemonades and juices. In fact, activated charcoal is even making its way in food as coloring for black burger buns, macarons, and ice cream. Since activated charcoal … Continue reading
Author Archives: Eunice Liu
Blood Orange
While traditional oranges are available at your local supermarket all year long, the best time to enjoy the juicy, crimson flesh of blood oranges is during these winter months. So while you venture out for some delicious blood oranges, consider these fascinating tidbits. How do they get their characteristic color? How are they different from … Continue reading
Fair Food: The Science of Deep-Frying
If you spent a single day at the county fair this summer, you’ll agree that the ferris wheels, petting zoos, and live music were all worth the visit. But the most exciting attraction? Fair food. There are the classics – corn dogs, ice cream, funnel cake – but each year brings new, wacky, unbelievable, and … Continue reading
Flavor-Changing Chewing Gum
Growing up as a chubby kid who tried to convince her parents that candy belonged at every meal (a real life Augustus Gloop, if I may), one of my favorite books was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. And though I’d dream for a mug of the chocolate river, my favorite of Willy Wonka’s creations was … Continue reading
Garlic
If you’ve ever made the mistake of devouring three bowls of James Beard’s Garlic Soup a few hours before The Job Interview Of Your Life (I’m not speaking from experience here), you will recognize the frantic moment in which you pray that 1) the handful of mints burning in your mouth have superpower strength, or … Continue reading
Homemade Marshmallows
Whether you prefer them toasted over a campfire, bobbing in a cup of hot chocolate, or roasted over a bed of sweet potatoes, marshmallows are an ooey-gooey fluffy treat that just finds a way warm the cockles of your heart. Marshmallows, like other well-known aerated confections – think mousses, ice cream, meringues – are essentially made of four … Continue reading
Pop Rocks and Carbonation
Some might say one of life’s little pleasures is eating candy. Those who have tried Pop Rocks, however, know that its sugary glory and dare-devilish allure warrant an entirely new adventure. Although it appears harmless, a handful of Pop Rocks candy will set off a fizzy explosion of sugar crystals and popping noises in your … Continue reading
Crumbalicious Apple Pie
The Science of Pie – June 1, 2014 Best Overall Pie & People’s Choice Pie Alina Naqvi & Ashley Lipkins-Scott (Team Apple Queens) This duo of student scientists aimed to create a pie with the crunchiest apple filling by experimenting with four different types of apples: Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Pink Lady, and Fuji. To … Continue reading
Perfectly Unsoggy Apple Pie
The Science of Pie – June 1, 2014 Honorable Mention Pie Alexis Cary & Matthew Copperman (Team On the Road) If you’ve baked an apple pie, you have probably encountered the dreaded problem of a soggy pie crust. The student scientists of Team On the Road sought to solve this pie-baking mishap by determining the … Continue reading
Taste Tripping With Miracle Berries
Imagine eating a lemon and puckering to incredibly sour…no wait, incredibly sweet citrus syrup. Then you try some tart goat cheese, but to your surprise, it tastes like sugary frosting. An underripe pineapple? Better than candy. Salt and vinegar chips? Dessert! This fantastical taste-changing sensation is the real-life effect of a West African fruit called … Continue reading