Chemical reactions in cooking / Activity Analysis

Science

• The child learned about different chemical reactions that occur during cooking, such as leavening agents in baking or Maillard reaction in browning processes.
• They understand the concept of balanced chemical equations and how they relate to the ingredients and reactions in cooking.
• The child has gained knowledge about the role of catalysts in cooking, such as enzymes in meat tenderization or fermentation in bread making.
• They have learned about the effects of heat on chemical reactions, including denaturation of proteins and caramelization of sugars.

For continued development, the child can explore more complex cooking techniques and recipes and conduct experiments to observe how different variables affect chemical reactions in food. They can also research the science behind specific cooking methods and ingredients to deepen their understanding of chemical reactions in cooking.

Book Recommendations

• Kitchen Science Lab for Kids by Liz Lee Heinecke: This book provides hands-on science experiments that children can do in the kitchen, exploring the scientific principles behind cooking.
• The Science of Good Cooking by Cook's Illustrated: This book delves into the science behind various cooking techniques and how different chemical reactions contribute to creating delicious meals.
• Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks, and Good Food by Jeff Potter: This book combines cooking and science, exploring the chemistry and physics behind various cooking processes.