Kitchen Science Technique
This culinary technique briefly cooks vegetables in boiling water before shocking them in ice water to preserve their color and texture.
What is blanching?
This Japanese word describes the savory "fifth taste" alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.
What is umami?
This Nordic nation drinks more coffee per person than any other country in the world.
What is Finland?
Bakers use this term for the final rise of dough before it goes into the oven.
What is proofing?
This chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars is responsible for the rich brown crust on a perfectly seared steak.
What is the Maillard Reaction?
Chili peppers get their fiery heat from this naturally occurring chemical compound.
What is capsaicin?
Traditionally, a cappuccino is made using these equal proportions of espresso, steamed milk, and foam.
What are one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third foam?
Pound cake earned its name because the original recipe called for one pound each of these four ingredients
What are flour, butter, sugar, and eggs?
If a soup tastes dull even after adding salt, adding one of these ingredients—like lemon juice or vinegar—can brighten the flavors.
What is an acid?
Harvested from the stigmas of a purple crocus flower, this is the world's most expensive spice by weight.
What is saffron?
True or False: Espresso beans and regular drip coffee beans come from completely different species of plants.
False. They come from the exact same coffee plants (usually Arabica or Robusta); "espresso" just refers to the dark roast profile and the fine grind size.
Thanks to its low moisture and high acidity, this pantry staple is famous for never spoiling.
What is honey?
Béchamel, Velouté, Espagnole, Tomato, and Hollandaise are collectively known by this French culinary title.
What are the five Mother Sauces?
Despite its Italian roots, the Caesar salad was first created in this country.
What is Mexico?
Bergamot orange oil gives this classic black tea its signature citrus aroma.
What is Earl Grey?
True or False: White chocolate is not technically classified as real chocolate.
True. It does not contain any cocoa solids (the brown stuff), only cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids.
Commercial high-temperature dishwashers must reach this minimum final rinse temperature to properly sanitize dishes.
What is 180 degrees Fahrenheit?
This culinary term describes slowly melting fat from meats like duck or pork over low heat.
What is rendering?
This Ethiopian sourdough flatbread doubles as both a plate and an eating utensil.
What is injera?
White rum, lime juice, sugar, soda water, and fresh mint combine to make this famous Cuban cocktail.
What is a mojito?
When heated, moisture inside a popcorn kernel turns into this gas, creating the pressure that makes it explode.
What is steam (water vapor)?
A standard one-pound box of dry spaghetti typically contains approximately this many individual strands.
What is 400–450 pieces?