Principles of Food Science and Cookery

In this information, the speaker discusses various food science topics. They explain how the crispness of fruits and vegetables is maintained through turgor pressure and how aging causes them to become tough and fibrous. They also discuss the effects of acids on chlorophyll and the color-changing properties of anthocyanins in fruits. Additionally, they explain the ripening process of climacteric and non-climacteric fruits and the roles of collagen and elastin in the texture of meat. The speaker also mentions the importance of USDA inspection and grading, cooking temperatures for safety, the resting period after cooking meat, and the smoke points of different fats. Overall, the information provides insights into how to maximize freshness, choose the right cooking methods, and ensure food safety. All right, another deep dive coming at you, and today we are going full-on foodie mode. Oh yeah. Food science time. Because someone sent us. Buckle up. I mean like a stack of notes charts on everything. Fruits, veggies, meat, eggs. Like somebody is serious about upping their kitchen game. Absolutely, someone's looking to become a true culinary master based on this material. Right, but okay, gotta admit, some of it's like. Dense. Yeah, Bricks Hydrometer's pectin, like. That's a deep dive? It's a little much, right? It is. For the average person. Yeah, but that's where we come in, right? That's where we come in, that's what we're here for. To like break it all down, make it fun. Yeah, make it digestible, pun intended perhaps. Right, exactly. So get ready to learn. Get ready. How to keep your produce crisp. Aye. The secrets to like perfectly cooked meat. Tender, juicy meat. And why you should never throw out those tougher cuts. Absolutely. Yeah. So I guess first things first, let's tackle those. Let's do it. Fruits and veggies. Like on the surface. That's a mere territory. Seems simple, right? Seemingly so. But apparently there's some pretty cool science going on. Oh, absolutely packed with science. So like the notes say that produce like fruits, veggies is mostly water, but what's making them so like crisp and crunchy? Well, each plant cell, you can think of it like a tiny water balloon. Ooh. Okay, so you have this membrane, and inside it's full of water, and that creates internal pressure. Okay. It's called turgor pressure. And that's what gives, you know, your celery that snap here. I was gonna say celery, yeah. Exactly, and when that pressure decreases, you lose the crispness. So like if your celery's been sitting in the fridge for too long. So it's basically like a slow leak. Exactly, a slow leak in those tiny water balloons. Oh, I like that. Yeah. All right, so slow leak, got it. And what about when they start to get like tough and stringy? Ah, that's when compounds like hemicellulose and lignin start to increase. Oh, here we go with this. The science-y terms. Big words. But basically think of them as the building blocks of tougher cell walls. Okay. So as your produce ages, it becomes less juicy, more fibrous. Okay, that makes sense. Yeah. So it's like the cell walls are getting thicker. Exactly. Less water can get in. Less water, less juice, less of that crispness. All right, so we've got the crispness factor down, but let's talk color, because I know- It's gonna get colorful. Like we've all done this. Oh, yeah. A little lemon juice on some broccoli. Oh, and it's really- And immediately, it's like- That weird- Like olive green. Yeah, olive drab green. What is happening there? Right, well, you're messing with chlorophyll, which is the pigment responsible for that vibrant green. Okay. But it's sensitive to acids. Ah. Okay, so when you add that lemon juice, that acid breaks down the chlorophyll. I see. And it creates something called theophytin. Oh, theophytin, okay. And that's what has that dull olive green color. So lemon juice is great. For something. For like brightening up flavors. Absolutely. Not for the green vegetables. True, the green vegetables. Right. Unless you like that color, then go for it. Right, whatever floats your boat. So, okay, what about those bright reds and blues you get in some fruits? Are they as sensitive? They are not. They get their color from anthocyanins. Which are kind of cool. Yeah. Because they're like pH chameleons. What? So they shift color depending on if they're in an acidic or an alkaline environment. Oh, wow. Right, so red cabbage is a great example. Okay, give me an example. So it's naturally purple. Oh, interesting. But if you add vinegar, which is acidic, it turns pink. What? And if you add baking soda, which is alkaline, it turns blue. Okay, I have to try this. It's a fun kitchen experiment. Yeah, that is very cool. Right. I did not know that. Yeah. All right, so those are a little bit more stable. A bit more resilient. Yeah, less sensitive. Okay, before we move on from produce, I gotta ask, because the notes mention this whole thing about climacteric and non-climacteric fruits. That's a mouthful. And I have no idea what that means. I know, it sounds very intimidating. Like, what is that? But it's actually simpler than it sounds. Okay, break it down. Think of it this way. Climacteric fruits, like bananas and tomatoes, they continue to ripen after they're picked. Oh, okay. This is because they release ethylene gas, which triggers that ripening process. So they're like self-ripening? Exactly, self-ripening. Got it, okay. Now, non-climacteric fruits, like grapes and berries, they only ripen on the plant. Okay. They don't have that post-harvest ripening superpower. Interesting, so is that why, like- Exactly. If you have like a bunch of bananas and one gets like overripe, it's like a chain reaction. They all go quickly. Right, yeah, is that that gas? That is the ethylene gas. Oh, wow. And that actually goes for other fruits, too. So it's not just- That apple. It's not just a banana thing. It can spoil a whole bunch. Oh. It's real. Okay, so you gotta be careful. Separate your fruits, folks. Yeah, separate your fruits, all right. So that's why you know you gotta be strategic with your fruit storage. Absolutely, this is all about maximizing freshness, preventing food waste, and ultimately saving you money. Right, makes sense. Okay, I'm feeling way more confident in my produce choices now. There you go. All right, so let's move on to the main course. Let's get to the meat of it. Yeah, let's get to the meat. Speaking of meat, we gotta talk about this whole muscle structure thing. I'm seeing a lot about collagen and elastin in these notes. So what is the significance of those when it comes to cooking meat? Well, they're both proteins that contribute to the texture of meat, but they behave very differently. So collagen is what makes meat tough. But the good thing about collagen is it breaks down into gelatin when you cook it slowly with low heat. And that's what gives you that fall apart tender. I was just picturing like a... Pulled pork. Yeah, like pulled pork or... Brisket. Brisket, yeah. So that's what's happening. That's the magic of collagen. Oh, okay, interesting. But then what's elastin? Elastin is the rubbery protein. That doesn't break down with cooking no matter how long you cook it. Oh, so there's no tenderizing that, okay. You can't really tenderize it through cooking. So that explains why like some cuts are just naturally more tender. Exactly, tenderloin. Okay, tenderloin, yeah. And others, you gotta like... Put in a little work. Yeah, the chuck roast situation. Exactly, your chuck roast, your shanks, those tougher cuts. Okay. But they're so flavorful. Yeah, they're more flavorful. Right. It's a trade-off. There's always a trade-off. Yeah, all right. So knowing which cuts have like more collagen or elastin can help you choose... Choose your cooking method wisely. The right cooking method. Okay, right. So for those tender cuts, you can do quick cooking methods like grilling or pan searing. Oh, cooking. But for those tougher cuts, you're gonna wanna go low and slow. Braising, stewing, slow roasting. Yeah. To break down that collagen. And get all that flavor. Get all that flavor. Okay, all right. I'm also seeing a lot about USDA inspection and grading. Oh, yeah. What's the difference? Why should I care when I'm at the store? It's an important distinction. So USDA inspection, that's mandatory. Okay. For all meat sold commercially. Got it. And it ensures that the meat is safe to eat. All right, so that's like a safety check? Safety check. Grading, on the other hand, is voluntary. Interesting. And it focuses on quality attributes. Okay. Like marbling, tenderness. So like it's more about... Yeah, it's more about like how it looks. It's like the eating experience and like... Exactly. The aesthetic of the meat. Yeah, and like how much it might cost too. Got it. So inspection is safety. Grading is quality. Got it. Okay, perfect. I'm also seeing a lot of like specific cooking temperatures in these notes. It's crucial. Like 145 for most cuts. Yeah, 160 for ground meat. 160 for ground meat? What's the difference? Well, it's all about food safety. Oh, okay. Those temperatures are the safe internal temperatures to kill harmful bacteria. Got it. The ground meat requires a higher temperature because the grinding process increases the surface area. Oh, okay. So potentially more of the meat is exposed to bacteria. So it's more like susceptible. Exactly, more susceptible. Got it. So you gotta be extra careful. Okay, that makes sense. Right. What about that 10 minute rest period after cooking meat? Oh, the rest. Is that like a suggestion or is there actually science behind that? It is crucial. Okay. That rest, it's called carryover cooking, allows the heat to distribute evenly throughout the meat. Oh, okay. So the juices redistribute within the meat. Oh. If you skip this step, you're gonna end up with dry, less flavorful meat. Nobody wants that. Nobody wants dry meat. No. Okay, so patience is key. Patience is key with meat. All right. I'm also seeing some stuff in here about like the smoke points of different fats. Oh, yeah. Why does that matter when you're cooking meat? When you heat fat, it eventually reaches a temperature where it starts to break down and smoke. And it releases potentially harmful compounds. So it's called a smoke point. So you wanna choose a fat with a high smoke point for high heat cooking. I see. Things like avocado oil. Oh, gross. Grape seed oil are great for that. Butter, on the other hand, has a relatively low smoke point. So it's better for lower temperatures. So you're burning. You're burning it before it can- Do its job. Do its job. Okay, so like using the right fat. Not only for flavor. Can make your food safer. But for safety. Oh. Okay. Yeah. Great tip. All right, I think we've covered meat pretty thoroughly. Pretty thoroughly. Ready to like crack into this next topic, eggs. Let's do it. Eggs, excellent. Nice. Nice. Eggs are fascinating. Right. They're like a whole world. Like they do so much in the kitchen. So versatile. Okay, I'm ready to dive in. I'm seeing this diagram here of like the eggs anatomy. You got the shell, the yolk, and these things called chalazae. Yeah. What are those? Oh, the chalazae are those like two ropey strands of protein that anchor the yolk in place. Okay. Right in the center. Interesting. So it's like a little- Like a little hammock. Yeah, a little hammock for the yolk. The yolk, yeah. And then the yolk itself is like- Oh, it's packed with nutrients. Yeah. Vitamins, minerals, fats. Okay. And then you have the egg white, which is also known as the albumin, which is mostly water and protein. Okay, so it's a good balance. It is, yeah. But the notes mention that the yolk is like more nutrient-dense. It is. But isn't it also higher in fat? True, but dietary fat isn't always a bad thing. Right. Right. The yolk's fat is a good source of those essential fatty acids. Okay. And it helps with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Ah, so it like helps your body. It does, it helps your body use those vitamins. Oh, I don't- Yeah. And then the white obviously boasts a higher proportion of protein by weight. But both parts contribute to making the egg such a complete source of nutrition. Okay, so like a whole egg is like a nutritional win-win. The whole egg is a powerhouse, yeah. All right, so what about this egg grating thing? Oh, yeah. Like what do those letters on the carton actually mean? Egg grating is all about quality. Okay. It involves this process called candling. Okay. Where they actually hold each egg in front of a bright light. Oh, wow. They're looking to see the thickness of the white, the position of the yolk, just the overall appearance. Okay, so they're like inspecting it. They're inspecting it, yep. Got it. So grades AA and A, those are considered the highest quality. Okay. You have firm whites, centered yolks. Okay. Grade B eggs might have slightly thinner whites or a less uniform shape. Okay, so like if you're making a cake- Yeah, you want those- You'll want a good quality egg. You want those higher grades. Okay, that makes sense. Now, I'm seeing something in the notes called syneresis. Syneresis? I have no idea what that is. I know, it sounds scary. What is that? Why should I care? So syneresis is when liquid separates from your cooked egg dish. Okay. So think of like those watery beads on top of a baked custard. Oh, yeah. Okay. It happens when the proteins over-coagulate. Okay. Often due to cooking at too high a temperature or for too long. Okay, so basically you're cooking the heck out of it. You're cooking it too much. Yeah. And the moisture is separating. Exactly. So low and slow. Gentle heat wins the egg game. Got it. All right. Don't be afraid to turn down the heat. Okay, so eggs, they do so much. They do, it's amazing. They thicken, they create foams, like they even bind oil and water together. Like in mayonnaise. Mayonnaise, it's like magic. It is, it's culinary magic. What is going on there? So let's break down those superpowers, shall we? Yes, let's do it. Okay, so coagulation, that's the process of the egg protein solidifying when heated. Got it. Right, and that's what makes things like custards, quiches, even scrambled eggs possible. Okay, so that's like the basic. And that's the foundation. Yeah, the foundation of the egg. Of egg cookery. Okay, what about those egg white foams? Ah, yes. For like meringues and soufflés. That's leavening. Okay. And that's all about incorporating air into the egg whites. Okay, so you're whipping air in. You're whipping air in, creating those beautiful bubbles. Those are so delicate. They are delicate. Yeah. And by adding a bit of acid, like lemon juice or a cream of tartar, helps stabilize those foams. Oh, okay. Right. Interesting. And then sugar, if you add it gradually while you're whipping, it'll give them that signature glossy sheen. Ah, so that's how you get that. That's the secret. Nice, beautiful meringue. Exactly. Okay, so the acid helps it stabilize, the sugar gives it shine. It's a beautiful partnership. Okay, and what about the mayonnaise thing? Ah, the emulsification. How are they binding oil and water together? Magic, right. It seems like magic. So egg yolks contain natural emulsifiers, like lecithin. Okay. And that allows oil and water to mix. Okay. And stay stable. So it's like keeping them from separating. Exactly, it's keeping them happy together in that creamy emulsion. So it's like a mediator? A mediator. A peacemaker? Yeah, a little peacemaker. In your mayonnaise. Okay, wow. Eggs are amazing. Aren't they incredible? Okay, so we talked about fruits earlier. We did. So we gotta get into these veggies. Let's delve into the veggie world. Because there's a lot of info in these notes. There is a lot to unpack. About those. Yeah. So I guess first things first, potatoes. The humble potato. They seem basic. Seemingly. But apparently there's a lot more to them. A lot more than meets the eye. Okay, I'm ready to get my potato knowledge on. So let's talk about those color changes you sometimes see. Okay, yeah, like sometimes they're brown or green, like what is that about? So potatoes contain phenolic compounds. Okay. And that can cause color changes when they're exposed to air. Oh. Right, so that's why you sometimes see those dark spots. So it's like oxidation almost. It is, it's very similar to oxidation. Interesting. Okay, and then that greenish tinge that sometimes appears under the skin. Yeah, what's up with that? That's chlorophyll developing when potatoes are exposed to light. Oh. Okay. So you gotta keep them in the dark. Ideally, yeah. Keep them in a cool, dark place. Okay. And here's where it gets interesting. That green color can be accompanied by solanine. Okay. Which is a natural poxin. Oh, okay. That can cause digestive upset if you eat a lot of it. So a little green is fine. A little green is usually okay. But if it's like super green? If it's really green and it tastes bitter, you probably want to avoid it. Okay, good to know. Yeah, food safety first. What about that saying that old potatoes are better for mashed potatoes? Ah, there's truth to that. Is there really? As potatoes age, their starch gradually converts to sugar. And this not only explains why older potatoes taste sweeter. Okay. But it also explains why they tend to brown more readily when cooked. Okay. You're getting that Maillard reaction. Oh, the Maillard reaction. We talked about with the meat. Just coming back, yeah. It's everywhere. The browning. The browning, yeah. Okay, so like those crispy bits on roasted potatoes? That's the Maillard reaction. That's science, wow. It is science. Okay, and then those older potatoes. They also tend to be softer and fluffier. Okay. Which makes them ideal for mashing. So it all makes sense now. It does, the potato puzzle solved. Okay, I'm gonna start paying more attention to my potatoes. You should, potato selection is important. Now what about cooking methods for veggies? Oh, there's so many options. Yeah, like boiling, steaming, roasting. It depends on what you're going for. Is there like a best way? There's no one best way. Okay. Boiling is quick and easy. But it can leach out some of those water-soluble vitamins. Oh. So steaming is a little gentler. Okay. It helps retain more nutrients, but it can take longer. Okay, and then roasting. Roasting is where you get those beautiful caramelized edges. So each one has like its pros and cons. It does. Got it. Any tips for like getting the most out of each method? Absolutely, so for boiling, use a small amount of salted water. Bring it to a rolling boil before you add the veggies. For strong smelling vegetables like broccoli, leave the lid off initially. Oh, why is that? You want to let those sulfur compounds escape. So it's not as like- Not as pungent. A pungent thing. And then for steaming, use a steamer basket or a perforated insert in a pot with a small amount of boiling water. Make sure the vegetables are in a single layer and cover the pot to trap the steam. So it's like a little sauna. A little veggie sauna. What about these pressure cookers? Pressure cookers are great for saving time. But it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Yeah. Don't want to explode anything. And avoid overcooking. Okay. Start with just a tablespoon or two of liquid. Okay. And use the shortest cooking time recommended for your vegetable. So it's like a very precise- Pressure cooking is all about precision. Okay, got it. Okay. What about stir frying? Oh, the art of the stir fry. I'm always intimidated by it. I know, it can be a little tricky. It's like, how do you get those perfectly crisp, tender veggies? Yes. And not have it turn into a soggy mess? High heat is key. Okay. A well-seasoned wolf or skillet. Okay. Bite-sized pieces of vegetables. Okay. Avoid overcrowding the pan. Give those veggies space to breathe. Okay. Let them caramelize. All right, so no more soggy stir fries for me. No more soggy stir fries. I got it. All right, now what about cooking with dried and frozen vegetables? All right, so dried vegetables, like beans and lentils. Okay. You need a good soak in water for several hours before you cook them. Okay. You gotta rehydrate them. Ah, bring them back to life. Exactly. Okay, what about frozen? Frozen vegetables actually cook faster than fresh. Oh, why is that? Because they've already been blanched. Oh, okay. So you can just toss them in and adjust the cooking time as needed. Okay, so soak the dried, quick cook the frozen. That's it. All right. Easy peasy. Okay, anything else we should know about cooking veggies? Here's a surprising one for you. Okay, hit me. Microwaving broccoli Wow. Can actually help retain more nutrients. Really? Especially vitamin C, compared to the other cooking methods. I thought microwaving like zapped all the nutrients out. That's a common misconception. Yeah, okay. But actually it can be a very gentle way to cook. So it's a quick and efficient way to get your greens. Exactly, and the flavor's often just as good, if not better. All right, so don't be afraid. Don't knock it till you try it. To nuke those veggies. There you go. Okay. Microwaving for the win, who knew? Who knew? Okay, I think we've officially squeezed all the veggie wisdom. I think so. Out of these notes. Ready for like the final stretch? Let's do it. Okay, what have we got left in this stack of foodie knowledge? Well, we've still got some meaty topics to cover. Oh, okay. Back to meat, all right. What else is there to know? You sent some stuff in about the different cuts of meat and how to cook them. Oh yeah, because like choosing the right cut always stresses me out. Any tips for like, I don't know, deciphering the meat case at the grocery store? Sure. The more muscle's been used, right, the tougher it's gonna be. Yeah. So cuts from the loin and rib, like your tender loins and ribeyes. Yeah. Those muscles, they're kind of lazy. Like they don't get a lot of exercise, so they're naturally tender. So it's like the couch potato of the cow. Exactly. Now the shoulder and leg muscles, those are the hard workers. Okay. Your chuck roast, your round steak, they have more connective tissue, so they're tougher, but also way more flavorful. So it's that trade off again, like tenderness versus flavor. Yeah. And we know those tougher cuts need those low and slow cooking methods. Right, braising, stewing, all that good stuff. Exactly. You gotta break down that connective tissue with most heat and then bam, you've got a tender, flavorful masterpiece. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Okay, so meat, check. What about fish? I know the note said it cooks faster, but anything else I should know? Fish is great for you, lots of protein, healthy fats. Right. But it can go bad fast. Yeah, that's true. So you gotta be picky at the store. Look for bright, clear eyes, nice shiny skin, and make sure the flesh feels firm. Okay, so it's like judging a beauty contest for fish? Pretty much. And check the gills, if they look dull or the fish smells funky. Yeah. Hard pass, pick a different one. Makes sense. Okay, so fish buying, check. What about cooking it? Is it like meat where some methods are better for some types? Kind of. You know, your fattier fish like salmon and tuna, they do really well with high heat. Grilling, roasting, that kind of thing. Leaner fish like cod or tilapia, those are better for poaching or steaming to keep them nice and moist. Okay, got it. So, quick question. What is the deal with serenity? Like, is imitation crab meat actually made from fish? It is. Serenity's made from white fish, usually pollock. That's all ground up and mixed with other stuff. Okay. It is fish, just, you know, with some extras. Fish, but with a makeover. Good to know. All right, I think that's pretty much everything, right? We covered a lot of these, like fruits, veggies, meat, fish, eggs. We really did. I mean, we talked about how to keep your produce crisp, how to cook meat like a pro, even how to make sure you're not accidentally poisoning yourself with green potatoes. Oh, yeah. Good reminder. So much good information. Right. Seriously, major props to whoever sent in all these notes. I feel like I just graduated from culinary school. Me too. Okay, well, I hope everyone listening learned something new today. I know I did. What about you all? Anything in this deep dive that surprised you? Anything you're gonna try in the kitchen? Let us know. And until next time, happy cooking, everyone.