Summer Food Science

 Okay, let’s explore the whole gamut of summer, food science.  Sure, Ice Cream in a Bag, mini-ice cream, or Slushies are obvious summer hits, along with DIY Solar Oven S’mores, all standards.   Write those ideas on craft sticks for your coffee can bin of ideas when kiddos whinge they are bored.  But, I’m talking about some serious science, such as Making Ice Cream or Vanilla  from Chemmatters.  The ideas below are all engaging.  Who doesn’t like practical science applications?

1. Bread: Chapter on Yeast Dough has different dough methods such as straight dough method or sponge method.  The excerpt is from a textbook.  It’s a great place to start to experiment with different doughs.  Comparing Flours is a mini lesson with some terms to learn and basic labs.   Did you know that when you make DIY sourdough starter you are capturing wild yeast?  You can use any flour to make sour dough starter.  (I buy instant sour dough yeast and make a boule; I don’t want another pet.)  Test your DIY starter with different flours, such as rye, whole wheat, or bread flour.  Friends with gluten sensitivities may be able to tolerate spelt bread.  Bread can be an elective over the summer.  Learn all about different flours, doughs, yeasts, and methods, and the science of enriched breads.  (Can you tell I’m on a low carb diet?)

2. Canning: The 4-H Food Preservation Unit from Mississippi is all about canning vegetables.  Start here with the basics.  Consult the Water-Bath Canning guide, too.  This is a good guide describing which foods can be canned in a boiling water bath and which must be pressure-cooked.  Try Jam first; it’s pretty forgiving.  If you’re uneasy about the canning method your teen used to make the jam, you can just refrigerate it and eat it immediately, safely. (Yes, I do have experience with kiddos!)

3. Our household likes to make instant Christmas presents, such as home-made extracts.  Extracts take minutes to make and need weeks to months to flavor the vodka. Voila! Instant Christmas presents to make ahead in the summer.   I put extra bottles on the shelf with dated labels.  I buy glass bottles at IKEA.  (Yes, you may garner strange looks at the liquor store when you buy a huge bottle of vodka and don’t look like you drink alcohol.  Ask me how I know.)  There is science in vanilla extract.  I want to try almond extract. Coffee Extract is another hit as a present.  Flavorful Food is from Chemmatters; 

4.  What about an entire food curriculum? 4-H Food Science, 4-H Exploring Food Science, At Home Healthy Eating Guide, and Kitchen Science all have great ideas to extend your food research.  Do you want more Vitamins? Protein? Carbs?  Let your child take the lead.