Food Chemistry

You shouldn't store open cans in the fridge because metals and BPA can leach into food. (maerzbow) — When you don’t finish an open can, you may be tempted to put some plastic wrap over it and put it in the refrigerator for later. However, it’s not a good idea to store open cans in the fridge. No, it won’t grow Salmonella or give you botulism. The risks […]

Why You Shouldn’t Store Open Cans in the Fridge

This entry was posted on April 13, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine

Chip pan fire demonstration in a laboratory. — Have you ever experienced a chip pan fire or other kitchen grease fire? This photograph actually is a simulated chip pan fire, produced as a demonstration. I have to wonder if the simulation was intended to be that spectacular. Also, I bet that fire was pretty intriguing to people passing by the […]

About the Chip Pan Fire Demonstration

This entry was posted on December 25, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 1, 2018)

Blue (left) is butterfly pea flower in water; purple (right) is flower tea dripped into white wine. Pink (center) is lemonade colored with the flower. — Many flowers, fruits, vegetables, and spices are natural pH indicators. Examples include rose petals, red cabbage, beets, onions, violets, and blue morning glory flowers. These substances change color in response to acidic or alkaline ingredients. Some natural pH indicators taste terrible, while others are expensive, hard to find, or weakly […]

Easy Color Change Drinks That Actually Taste Good

This entry was posted on December 22, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 6, 2018)

While lettuce and tomato may get slimy, a burger made with a bun, meat, and cheese won't rot. — If you’re up for a bit of scientific experimentation, you can get a McDonald’s hamburger, leave it on the counter, and prove to yourself it won’t appear to rot or decompose over time. Alternatively, you can skip the experiment and trust me on this, as a parent of a child […]

Why McDonald’s Hamburgers Don’t Decompose

This entry was posted on September 11, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on November 16, 2017)

A packet of powdered alcohol rehydrates to one shot of liquor, so it can be mixed in water or non-alcoholic drinks to like a shot. (Lisa Fotios) — You may not have heard much about powdered alcohol until recently, but General Foods filed the patent for a process to make it way back in 1972.Powdered alcohol is a dehydrated form of ethanol or grain alcohol that mixes with water to produce an alcoholic beverage. Its made by combining […]

How Powdered Alcohol Works

This entry was posted on September 6, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on September 8, 2017)

Absinthe is an anise-flavored distilled alcoholic beverage. (Eric Litton) — What Is Absinthe? Absinthe is a wormwood and anise flavored distilled liqueur made popular in France circa 1880 – 1914. Although sometimes colorless, the slightly bitter spirit is traditionally bright green. It is also known as ‘la fée verte’, or ‘the green fairy’. Absinthe History Dr. Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor, is […]

What Is Absinthe? Absinthe Chemistry and Recipes Recently updated !

This entry was posted on May 26, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on April 20, 2018)