Biochemistry

Some people think cilantro and coriander taste like soap. — If you crave tacos al carbon with onions and cilantro or are a big fan of chutney or falafal, you likely appreciate the tangy citrus flavor of cilantro. However, a significant number of people think cilantro tastes like soap. Whether you like cilantro or loathe it depends on genetics and […]

Why Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap?

This entry was posted on February 7, 2019 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on March 1, 2019)

Snow Ice Cream — Delicious, creamy snow ice cream is one of the best parts of winter! There are many ways to make snow ice cream. You can use snow as the main ingredient or you can use it to freeze any other ice cream recipe. Snow Ice Cream With Snow as an Ingredient […]

Snow Ice Cream Recipes

This entry was posted on November 16, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on December 26, 2019)

Amino Acids by Side Chains — Amino acids are the building blocks of polypeptides and proteins, which are used as structural components and enzymes. If you’re taking biochemistry, organic chemistry, or genetics, you need to be familiar with the 20 amino acids and also know their side chains. It’s the nature of the side chains that […]

Amino Acid Side Chains Study Sheet

This entry was posted on October 1, 2018 by Todd Helmenstine (updated on December 8, 2018)

Orange juice tastes bad after brushing your teeth because foaming agents affect chemoreceptors in taste buds. — Orange juices tastes terrible if you drink it right after brushing your teeth. It’s a familiar scenario. You wake up in the morning, grab the toothbrush and toothpaste to start the day with that fresh feeling, and head to breakfast. But, you should really re-think the order of things. Save […]

Why Orange Juice Tastes Bad After Brushing

This entry was posted on September 24, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on April 15, 2019)

Genetic Code Study Sheet — The genetic code is the set of instructions cells use to translate information from genetic material (DNA or mRNA) into amino acids. In turn, amino acids are strung together and modified to build proteins. The genetic code is sometimes called the universal code because it is used by nearly all […]

Genetic Code Chart (PDF)

This entry was posted on September 21, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on October 13, 2018)

Real wasabi is green because of chlorophyll. Most "wasabi" is horseradish dyed with food coloring or spinach. (Jay Abrantes) — The spicy-hot green ball served with sushi is called wasabi, but unless you live in Japan, you’re almost certainly eating a substitute. This fake wasabi is made from horseradish, mustard, starch, and either green food coloring or spinach. You have to use the ingredient list rather than the product name […]

Why Is Wasabi Green?

This entry was posted on July 27, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on August 13, 2018)