The Scientific Reasons Behind 15 Cooking Techniques And Culinary Conundrums
![The Scientific Reasons Behind 15 Cooking Techniques And Culinary Conundrums](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/5/1/886951_320x180.jpg)
Ah, the mysteries of food. From the juicy steaks we let rest before slicing, to the raw milk we pasteurize, to the sugar rush we get from sweet treats, food is a complex and fascinating subject. We all have our favorite dishes, but why do we need to let meat rest? Why do eggs need to be refrigerated? Why do we prefer our meat cooked?
These are the questions we’ll be exploring in this list. We’ll dive into the science behind why we need to let meat rest, why eggs need to be refrigerated, why we prefer our meat cooked, why we crave sweets so much, why we need to cook lobsters alive, why recipes don’t work at high altitudes, why you can’t eat raw cooking dough, why cooking vegetables reduces the amount of nutrients in them, why eating beans makes you gassy, why meat changes color when cooked, why meat shrinks when you cook it, how baking soda tenderizes meat, why coffee makes you have to go poop, and why ice cream gives you a headache. So grab a snack and get ready to learn, because we’re about to take a deep dive into the science of food!
Give it a rest — then dig in.
![Why do we need to let meat rest? If you cut into a steak right away, all the juices will run out and it'll be dry and overcooked. To make sure your steak is juicy and tender, let it sit for at least five minutes before you start slicing it. That way, the juices will be evenly spread out. CRACKED](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/5/886965.jpg)
Tenderize without brining: Baking soda to the rescue.
![How does baking soda actually tenderize meat? Baking soda tenderizes meat by raising the pH level, stopping proteins from bonding, and keeping it tender when cooked. It's a different process from brining. CRACKED](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/9/886969.jpg)
Cook ’em quick or risk getting sick!
![Do we need to cook lobsters alive? Lobsters can have dangerous bacteria in their meat. When the lobster dies, these bacteria can grow and create toxins that can't be destroyed by cooking. To avoid getting food poisoning, it's best to cook the lobster while it's still alive. CRACKED](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/4/886964.jpg)
Sugar rush: It’s like a drug for our brains!
![Why do we crave sweets so much? We love sweet food because it gives us energy. Our brains have a morphine-like system, in short, that makes it feel good. CRACKED](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/7/0/886970.jpg)
Too hot or too cold, no one likes a tough steak.
![CRACKED Why does meat shrink when you cook it? Because water leaves its fibers. When you cook meat in an oven, the higher the temperature, the more liquid is released.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/5/8/886958.jpg)
Raw milk: Not for the faint of heart.
![Why do we have to pasteurize milk? Pasteurization kills bad bacteria in milk, while raw milk can make people sick, especially those with weak immune systems, kids, seniors, and pregnant women. CRACKED](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/0/886960.jpg)
Cook it up and you can’t go wrong!
![CRACKED Why do we prefer our meat cooked? Cooked meat's fat and umami, plus the Maillard reaction, make it tasty and fragrant to humans (and other animals). Most of the flavor comes from the smell, so raw meat (which doesn't have a strong scent) isn't as tasty.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/8/886968.jpg)
Brain freeze: The price of a cold treat.
![Why does ice cream give you a headache? Ice cream headaches are thought to be caused by the cold temperature stimulating nerves in the mouth and affecting the blood vessels in the roof of the mouth. CRACKED](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/6/886966.jpg)
Eggs: Handle with care!
![CRACKED Do eggs need to be refrigerated? Due to an abrasive cleaning process, eggs in the United States need to be kept cold to avoid salmonella. In many other countries, the egg's exterior, generally, will naturally protect it from bacteria.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/3/886963.jpg)
Cook it or die, E. coli!
![Why can't you eat raw cooking dough? It's important to be careful when eating raw flour, as it could have bacteria like E. coli from coming into contact with animal waste during milling. But don't worry, any bacteria in the flour will be killed off when you bake, microwave, boil, roast, or fry it. CRACKED](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/7/886967.jpg)
White meat cooks white, red meat cooks brown — it’s the culinary color wheel.
![Why does meat change color when cooked? When you cook meat, the proteins in white meat break down and recombine, making it turn white. Red meat changes color when it's heated up to 140 degrees F because the myoglobin in it transforms into hemichrome, which makes it look slightly brown. CRACKED](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/5/9/886959.jpg)
Coffee: the one-cup laxative.
![CRACKED Why does coffee make you poop? Coffee triggers hormones that make you want to go to the bathroom. More research is needed to understand how coffee affects digestion, though.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/1/886961.jpg)
Better drink that veggie-infused cooking water!
![Why does cooking vegetables reduce the amount of nutrients in them? When you cook veggies in water, some of the water-soluble nutrients like vitamin С, В vitamins, and folate can escape into the water. CRACKED](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/5/7/886957.jpg)
High altitude baking: a recipe for disaster!
![CRACKED Why do recipes not give the right results at high altitudes? At higher altitudes, water boils faster, evaporation is quicker, and gasses expand more, which can mess up baking. Cakes can rise too fast, egg whites can burst, and yeast breads can over-proof.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/5/6/886956.jpg)
Beans: a gas-tronomic experience.
![Why does eating beans make you gassy? Beans have sugars that our bodies can't digest, so bacteria eat them and make gas, causing the discomfort we feel when we eat them. CRACKED](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/2/886962.jpg)