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Ramen and Race Relations
Immigration in any society is a complex and controversial subject. It’s something that is likely to get tempers flaring and people marching on the streets. I don’t normally have much to say on the topic, it’s normally a dead end. Like pineapple on pizza, people tend to do a lot of talking about immigration and… Continue reading
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The Science of Egg White Foams: How Denaturation, Bowl Choice and Ingredients Impact Whipping
Discover the science behind egg white foams. Learn how denaturation, whisking mechanics, sugar, copper bowls, and acidity impact meringue stability. Continue reading
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Mad honey or how the Poison King and some bees outwitted the Romans
Mithridates VI, King of Pontus, was one of the young Roman empire’s most feared and formidable enemies in the eastern Mediterranean. Respected by the Romans as a strong, intelligent and, most of all, cunning ruler, he also possessed a ruthlessness and a cruelty so well developed that, at various times during his reign, he put… Continue reading
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Aphrodisiacs: Can food make you sexy?
Sex has always been something of a problem for human societies. Love, marriage, children and the passage of assets from one generation to the next has always been a primary human preoccupation. Yet in all these endeavours sex and sexual attraction lurks like the drunk uncle at a wedding; unpredictable, inconvenient but impossible to ignore.… Continue reading
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Hunger games: Why we get hungry and why we overeat
I hate to say it this way, but homeostasis is a very important idea in biology. If you’re anything like me, as soon as you hear the words “a very important idea” your eyes are glazing over, and you’ve started wondering what to stream tonight. But hang on, it’s true. It really is in this… Continue reading
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Quick Bite: Ultra-processed foods give you lung cancer? Maybe not
In the past I’ve been critical of both observational studies and the reporting of these studies in the media and yesterday the Independent published an article called “Food that makes up more than half of western diets linked to lung cancer” which really pushed my buttons. The title is clearly link-bait and it had me… Continue reading
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The Saffron Scam: Food Fraud and How to Spot Fake Saffron
Discover why saffron is the world’s most expensive spice, its 3,000-year history of food fraud, the chemistry of its unique flavor, and how to test for purity. Continue reading
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Vitamin D and Human Individuality: Why One-Size-Fits-All Nutrition Fails
Explore how human genetic variation and nutrigenomics affect vitamin D requirements. Discover why one-size-fits-all daily intake guidelines don’t work. Continue reading
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The Science of Bacterial Growth: How to Keep Your Food Safe and Avoid Food Poisoning
Discover how exponential bacterial growth affects food safety. Learn the science of cooking temperatures, D-values, and storage tips to protect your guests from food poisoning. Continue reading