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Turkey Day Chemistry in the Kitchen

Posted by samzenpus on from the obligatory-story dept.

instupor writes "Just in time for the holiday, PopSci runs through the food science behind moist turkey, perfect potatoes and flaky pie crust. Besides the actual "why," the article explains how to apply the scientific principals in your own kitchen."

4 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Cooking is science by Slashidiot · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Doesn't matter if people want to call it art, it is applied chemistry and physics. The only thing is that there are many variables and humans have really good sensors to appraise the results. So that instead of calculating the Na+ ions, you can just taste it and get a better reading. Instead of using high precission lab instruments, we use the built in tools we have.

    In the end, art is just applied science, but with wildly varying parameters, so it takes a very complex measuring instrument to appreciate the results.

    --
    Tis women makes us love, Tis Love that makes us sad, Tis sadness makes us drink, And drinking makes us mad.
  2. Re:It's thanksgiving by Gigiya · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Generally very little mention is made of what happened next ...
    Except for every rebellious 15-year old that hates family gatherings, and self-righteous people on the internet. I acknowledge the fact that Native Americans were slaughtered, but I don't hesitate to enjoy time with my family and delicious turkey.
  3. Sniveling little whiners? by Nursie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My dear boy,

    I'm British, we've caused tremendous amounts of harm all over the world and probably several genocides. I just find it rather delightful that every year American families gather together in a festival to give thanks and celebrate friendship, family and a spirit of kindness and sharing, brought about by an incident involving people their ancestors more-or-less wiped out and stole the land from.

    It's especially piquant that American children put on theatrical productions about how kind the indians were and how everyone was great friends.

    the whole thing's hilarious!

  4. Re:It's thanksgiving by Foolicious · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I was waiting for this one.

    Darn white man. Source of all problems. First of all, kills off all the supremely peaceful and progressive Native Americans, on which the REAL future of things like science and medicine rested. THEN, picks a poor-tasting bird to celebrate with. Can't even choose a good tasting bird, for pete's sake. Finally, invents football, which isn't even really played primarily with the feet!

    I wish we could go back to those pre-usurping days in America (not even a good name! Amerigo Vespucci was an idiot), especially the parts where I could treat women as property and do as I pleased with them, where I could cower in fear of the Windigo and watch my children die of infections from simple cuts on their feet. But the stupid western europeans took that liberty away from me. Idiots.

    Now, scroll down a bit if necessary, choose Flamebait and have a Happy Thanksgiving! God bless!

    --
    Please don't use "umm" or "err" or "erm".