Science of Cooking: Ask the Inquisitive Cooks! (2024)

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" How does adding baking soda affect persimmon bread? "

Hi Anne and Sue,

I was making persimmon bread the other night, and all the recipes I found told me to add baking soda to the pulp to stiffen it. I followed the instructions, and after letting it sit for about five minutes, the pulp became a solid, but somewhat gelatinous, mass. The persimmon bread turned out beautifully, very moist and fluffy. I’m wondering if this step had anything to do with it, and if it would be a good step in banana, pumpkin, or other breads.

Thanks.
Robin from San Francisco

Still have more questions? You'll find more answers in our archived monthly feature articles by the Inquisitive Cooks.

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Hi Robin,

Depending on the particular cultivar used, the growing conditions, and the degree of ripeness, persimmons can be highly astringent. The components that create astringency and make your mouth pucker are called tannins. Tannins can be abundant in persimmons. The squat Fuyu persimmon has no tannins and can be eaten while still firm. In contrast, the more common, acorn-shaped Hachiya remains astringent until its skin dulls and it has become so ripe that the flesh inside is almost jellylike.

Tannins play an integral part in the manufacture of a fascinating number of products—from animal food to leather to paper to red wine. Research in various fields indicates that an alkaline pH inactivates tannins. Adding baking soda, an alkali, directly to the persimmon pulp is an attempt to reduce astringency and to ensure that the tannins cause no further reactions as the batter is mixed.

Science of Cooking: Ask the Inquisitive Cooks! (23)
When persimmons are beaten to a pulp, tannins form complexes with carbohydrates, causing the pulp to stiffen to a gel-like consistency. When baking soda is added, a reaction with the moist and slightly acidic persimmon creates carbon dioxide (CO2), which also plays a role in encouraging the pulp to thicken. With other fruits, this gelling doesn’t happen because they aren’t as high in tannins. Your persimmon bread was light and fluffy because CO2 likely became trapped in the gel.

It’s better to not add baking soda to mashed banana and pumpkin when making breads with these fruits. Adding baking soda to these moist, acidic ingredients initiates a reaction that releases CO2. This happens extremely quickly with fruits that don’t form a gel. By the time the batter is mixed together, the CO2 has escaped.

Persimmon bread sounds delicious, and it’s something we’ve never made. Unfortunately, persimmons are now out of season in our markets, so we’ll have to wait. Would you consider posting the recipe for persimmon bread on the Forum? We’d welcome any further insights on making this bread.

Great to hear from you, Robin.
Anne & Sue

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Science of Cooking: Ask the Inquisitive Cooks! (2024)

FAQs

What is a quote about cooking and science? ›

Cooking is not a science but an art, mistakes are okay, messes are fine—the pleasure is in the creating and the sharing of the result.

What is the cooking show about the science of cooking? ›

Chef Secrets: The Science of Cooking - Apple TV.

What is the scientific approach to cooking? ›

Molecular gastronomy is the scientific approach of cuisine from primarily the perspective of chemistry.

What is the scientific concept behind cooking? ›

Conduction. Conduction happens when heat moves from a solid object that is in direct contact with another one. A pot of water on a stove must get hot first in order to heat the water within it. The pot transfers heat from the energy source (usually gas or electric), to the water, and subsequently heats it.

What is an inspiring quote about cooking? ›

12 Quotes About the Joy of Cooking from the Heart
  • “Cooking is like love. ...
  • “A recipe has no soul. ...
  • “Cooking is like painting or writing a song. ...
  • “If you are a chef, no matter how good a chef you are, it's not good cooking for yourself; the joy is in cooking for others.
Feb 19, 2020

What is a catchy quote about food? ›

Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are.” “So long as you have food in your mouth you have solved all questions for the time being.” “There is no sincere love than the love of food.” “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

What is the science of cooking called? ›

molecular gastronomy, the scientific discipline concerned with the physical and chemical transformations that occur during cooking.

Why is cooking like science? ›

Any cooking you do involves chemistry. The use of heat, cold, and cutting changes the composition of foods. Even simply slicing an apple sets off chemical reactions that change the color of the apple's flesh. If you heat up sugar to turn it into syrup, you're using a chemical reaction.

What chef uses science to cook? ›

Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has invented some unique cooking techniques that incorporate science - using a style that has been labelled "gastronomic alchemy".

What is the basic science behind cooking? ›

Conduction: direct contact with a heat source, such as in a cooking pan. This is generally directional, and it helps you sauté scallops or sear steak, for example. Convection: heat transfer via air or water. This happens in an oven and is more even in nature, meaning your roast beef gets warmed all the way around.

Is cooking an exact science? ›

Cooking is flexible, while baking is precise

And while all cooking is scientific, it's true that baking relies on pure scientific precision to create a great dish.

What are the scientific principles in cooking? ›

​​Exploring the Science of Cooking: How Heat Affects Food
  • Maillard Reaction: The Browning Magic. ...
  • Protein Denaturation: Changing Structures. ...
  • Gelatinization: The Science of Starch. ...
  • Caramelization: Sugars at Work. ...
  • Cooking Oil and Heat Transfer.
Oct 6, 2023

What is the hypothesis of cooking? ›

The cooking hypothesis starts with the claim that unlike other animals, Homo sapiens has evolved an obligation to include cooked food in the diet such that we cannot live without it.

What is the basic concept of cooking? ›

It explains that cooking uses heat to improve food's appearance, taste, and make it digestible while killing harmful bacteria. Heat transfer occurs through conduction, convection, and radiation. The two main cooking methods are dry heat and moist heat. Learning to cook improves life skills and health.

What is cooking in psychology? ›

What is cooking therapy? Like art therapy, drama therapy, and a number of other psychological practices, cooking therapy is a proven way to enhance self-esteem, fight depression, and better an individual's overall quality of life.

What is the food scientist quote? ›

Everything in food is science. The only subjective part is when you eat it.

What is the best quote about science? ›

Science quotations
  • Science is organised knowledge. ...
  • Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.
  • The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.
  • The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.

Is cooking related to science? ›

Cooking isn't just an art; it's a science. We'll help you understand the physical and chemical processes that make food look, smell, and taste the way it does.

What science says about food? ›

Research consistently shows that when you eat mostly plant foods, markers of health improve. Benefits include lower blood pressure, triglyceride levels, glucose and waist circumference, which can translate to a lower risk of a number of different diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.

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