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The Science of Food 2

Overview

Continuing with food science pupils learn the science behind the changes we see when we heat or cool food and how this affects functions and properties.

Example Key Words

Dextrinisation

Browning due to the effect of dry heat on starchy foods. Starch molecules break dow into dextrins.

Caramelisation

Changes to colour and texture when heating sugar or sugar solutions

Gelatinisation

Chemical term for thickening by starch and starchy foods when they swell and burst

Shortening

Crumbly texture produced by short gluten strands

Emulsification

Substances added to food to hold together ingredients that don’t usually mix.

Plasticity

A property of fat that allows them to be spread and manipulated.

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