The Science of Cooking: Molecular Gastronomy Quiz

Question 1

What is spherification, a technique used in molecular gastronomy?

Accepted Answer

Creating edible spheres with liquid centers

Answer

Dehydrating food into a powder

Answer

Using high pressure to change food texture

Answer

Freezing food very rapidly

Question 2

Which thickening agent is commonly used in molecular gastronomy to create fluid gels?

Accepted Answer

Agar-agar

Answer

Gelatin

Answer

Xanthan gum

Answer

Lecithin

Question 3

Transglutaminase, also known as 'meat glue,' is used to bind protein-containing foods together.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 4

Match the molecular gastronomy technique with its description:

Accepted Answer

Gelification → Solidifying a liquid into a gel; Emulsification → Incorporating two immiscible liquids; Foam → Creating a stable suspension of gas in a liquid or solid

Question 5

Match the ingredient with its typical use in molecular gastronomy:

Accepted Answer

Sodium Alginate → Used in the liquid to be spherified; Calcium Chloride → Used in spherification bath to create spheres; Lecithin → Creating foams and stabilizing emulsions

Question 6

Sous vide cooking involves cooking food in airtight plastic bags in a water bath at a precisely controlled temperature.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 7

Arrange the following steps in creating an air (foam) using a lecithin:

Accepted Answer

Blend the liquid with lecithin. → Let the mixture rest to hydrate the lecithin. → Aerate the mixture with an immersion blender. → Skim the foam from the top.

Question 8

What is the primary purpose of using liquid nitrogen in molecular gastronomy?

Accepted Answer

To rapidly freeze food and create unique textures

Answer

To add nitrogen to the food

Answer

To cook food at extremely high temperatures

Answer

To preserve food for longer periods

Question 9

Molecular gastronomy is solely focused on creating unusual and visually appealing dishes, disregarding taste and nutrition.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 10

Place the following steps of reverse spherification in order:

Accepted Answer

Prepare a calcium chloride bath. → Mix the flavored liquid with sodium alginate. → Drop the alginate mixture into the calcium bath. → Rinse the formed sphere in water.

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