Questions tagged [molecular-gastronomy]

Questions on the applications of modern science to culinary techniques in the home or restaurant.

The tag refers to the eponymous style of cuisine, AKA modernist cuisine or experimental cuisine, in which modern scientific principles and techniques are used to enhance or replace the more traditional culinary methods used in home or restaurant kitchens.

The term molecular gastronomy has, on occasion, been used to denote any in-depth study of the physics or chemistry behind culinary techniques, as described in Wikipedia: Molecular Gastronomy. We prefer that questions with this tag relate to one or more areas commonly associated with the discipline, such as:

  • Use of chemical reagents (for foams/gels, spherification, etc.)
  • Use of specialized equipment (syringes, centrifuges, Pacojet, etc.)
  • Quantitative experiments designed to test claims or understand processes

If you are seeking a broad, general, theoretical understanding, as opposed to controlled experiments and applied chemistry, please use the tag instead.

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Storing Transglutaminase once opened

I have a sealed packet of Transglutaminase/Activa powder. However its much more than I need for this recipe. I know it deactivates quickly after being exposed to air. Whats the best way to store it for future use? Should I keep it as one mass of…
Alex
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Deconstructed food; simple, complex or both?

This question was asked on English Language & Usage and deconstructed food is a term I'd never heard before. One answer is that it is simply the constituent parts of a dish laid out separately on a plate allowing the consumer to reconstruct the dish…
Frank
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Why was there not enough foam in my garlic foam with soy lecithin?

This was my first attempt at making a foam using soy lecithin. I used 3 garlic cloves, 2/3 cup water, 2/3 cup milk. Then i used an immersion blender. I got a bit of foam on top but there wasnt a lot of it. It felt like a waste of a lot of milk. How…
moorecats
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Unsure why foam sauce doesn't hold

I experimented for with xanthan gum for the first time tonight. I made a sauce which was about half roasted peppers, half savory stuff (lamb stock, beef broth, balsamic vinegar and a bit of chili powder). I added about 0.9% of xanthan gum, strained…
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Making culinary foams for cocktails

I would like to make a foam using a cordial, lime juice and egg whites. SHould I add lecithin and what would the portions be? Also what would the effect be if I used 1 charge each of NO2 & CO2?
user5734
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Substituting maseca (corn flour) for ap flour in waffle cones

I want to make a maseca based waffle cone but I am not sure what to use as the binding agent in substitute of flour. My first assumption was to mix in a .7% ratio of vital wheat gluten. Any suggestions on binders/stabilizers? The end product will be…
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Why mono and diglycerides instead of xanthan?

Xanathan gum (like many other vegetable gums) is often used as an emulsifier and for thickening liquids. Meanwhile, mono- and diglycerides (aka glycerin flakes) are used in a similar way. I have read that mono- and diglycerides need to be dissolved…
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What food dissolves in acid but not in water?

I've recently been learning about molecular gastronomy, and I was wondering - what edible substances do not dissolve in water, but do in other liquids (e.g. acid)? In particular, I'm looking for something that can hold other things - for example,…
Benubird
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Making a foam and dissolving it

I saw a TV show where a dish was served covered with a foam and subsequently a sauce was poured over the foam, which dissolved to reveal the dish under the foam. I have tried dissolving regular lecithin aire foams with vinegar, salt etc. without…
AndBB
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Can one create any flavor combination by breaking down the five modalities of taste into their chemical form and adjusting proportions accordingly?

Can one create any flavor combination by breaking down the five modalities of taste into their chemical form and adjusting proportions accordingly? Namely, if you broke down sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and umami into their rawest…
user93337
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What reactions require oxygen to impart flavour?

For most cooking, I like to keep the lid on the pot as much as possible, except if the technique requires otherwise (e.g. reducing a sauce). From what I can tell, most flavour comes from Mailliard reactions, which do not require oxygen. Are there…
Sanchises
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Building pressure chamber for fizzy fruit - PVC safety

I'm building a pressure chamber with some basic brass plumbing parts and a cylinder of CO2. The goal here is to infuse fruit with CO2. I'm aware of the various safety aspects to consider since the system is under pressure. I had intended to use PVC…
blueether
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How to apply transglutaminase brand "Saprona TG F"

I have transglutaminase/activa powder branded "Saprona TG F". The ingredients are Salt, Gelatin, phosphate and transglutaminase. The dose is 1%. I'm making chicken roulade - should I apply it as a powder, a slurry or some other method?
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When mixing eggnog with brandy, which is poured first?

Liquids often mix due to different densities, so which one should I pour first in order to have them mix properly?
a coder
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