What are good resources to learn food chemistry?
Does anyone know of some good resources to start learning about food chemistry? I am thinking specifically about a description of the chemical processes involved e.g. in cooking/preparing the different foods and their relation with changes in flavor etc.
Also: do you know a reliable source to understand what is the purpose of all food additives used by the industry? Here I am not thinking about colorant/preservatives and the like, but more about the "strange supernumerary" ingredients we can see on industrial food's labels.
Best Answer
McGee on Food and Cooking: An Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science, History and Culture will answer most questions on what the chemistry is behind most cooking processes, without being too academic.
Pictures about "What are good resources to learn food chemistry?"
How can I learn food chemistry?
It involves the study of chemical components from proteins to carbohydrates and more. In food chemistry, we learn how different processing techniques affect a certain type of food and also for ways to enhance the quality of food.What are the things we need to study in food chemistry?
Chemical substances can play an important role in food production and preservation. Food additives can, for example, prolong the shelf life of foods; others, such as colours, can make food more attractive. Flavourings are used to make food tastier. Food supplements are used as sources of nutrition .What are the chemistry used in food?
Traditional food science programs focus entirely on science and offer courses such as food chemistry, food processing, food analysis and food process engineering. These types of courses are excellent at preparing students for careers in research, or the manufacturing and technology side of the food industry.More answers regarding what are good resources to learn food chemistry?
Answer 2
To update this 2010 question, McGee is still active and an excellent primary source. He has done more work in addition to the book in the accepted answer. You might also look into Arielle Johnson, formerly of MIT and currently Alton Brown's chief science officer. She has a ton of experience.
I believe both McGee and Johnson have new books coming out soon.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, George Milton, Armin Rimoldi