FEATURE | Hold up, let him cook!
By Ron Aldrei Corporal
Your face puckers as a sour taste reaches your tongue when you finally taste that Korean kimchi you have craved for so long since you first saw it on the internet. You crunch down on the cabbage as both a spicy and sour taste envelops your mouth — a clear sign of the result of your patience in waiting weeks to let the kimchi ferment. Yet, it puzzles you: how a food is better eaten after leaving it for several weeks in the fridge and how, for some apparent reason, it is still not spoiled after so long.
The science behind the production of some food products may be confusing for the general public. However, as humanity continues to advance, the inner workings behind these events are slowly unveiled. Food science is the basic science that investigates food. From chemistry to microbiology, it is a multi-disciplinary field that explores various aspects of the things we eat, and because of it, we were able to familiarize ourselves with how exactly food gives us the sustenance we need to live.
After an interview with a student in the Food Technology elective at PSHS-BRC who preferred to stay anonymous, the student stated that food science is a valuable discipline that should not be disregarded by the public. “As a Filipino, food is a central part of our culture. To study in a field that explores how and why the foods that we cook and eat are the way they are is something that has always been an integral part of food science, which is why it is such an important field,” they said.
From the processing of food products to their storage, food science explores and analyzes the different factors that can and do contribute to the production of various food products. From the microscopic cultures that lie on our foods to the different vitamins and minerals that can be gained from consuming these products, these topics are covered by food science and are what make this field of science so valuable. The interviewee further stated that “Food science does not only investigate how food is made but also answers the question of why we actually eat these things,” emphasizing the major contributions of the field to nutritional science that have long aided humans in determining the nutrients that are able to help in the recovery of individuals from various illnesses and diseases and are able to assist in the maintenance of our well-being.
Another factor that contributes to the value and relevance of this field is the ability of food to bring about a notion of togetherness among crowds of people. Eating delicious treats with friends and family makes food so important in different cultures and communities. However, while various food products may be enjoyed due to their delicious tastes and flavors, it is crucial to take note that not all food is safe to eat, and some may even be detrimental to one’s health. This is where food science comes in. By ensuring that the foods that people eat are safe, stable, palatable, and nutritious, individuals are able to enjoy food without the concern of harming their own bodies.
Furthermore, this field of science also covers various technologies and machinery commonly used in industrial settings. Think about the common junk foods that people often eat: chips, candies, soft drinks — these are food products that are all made in large quantities via large-scale processes due to the development of various machines and technology that aid in the fast and efficient production, processing, and storage of food. Due to the various developments, companies are able to keep up with the demand of their products, while maintaining the quality and nutritional value of these foods by utilizing these machines to effectively produce large amounts.
Humanity has long investigated the complex science of food. As it serves as our primary source of sustenance that powers various bodily functions, which, in turn, enables us to keep on living, food has, and will always be, an integral aspect of our lives as human beings. Food science furthers our knowledge of the relationship of food to living beings and how these things are able to provide the sustenance that our bodies need. As humanity continues to live, developing technologies and extending the expanse of their reach into the deepest points of the ocean and the farthest parts of the cosmos, food science will persist to be a valuable field in humanity as it powers our bodies as we reach for the stars. No matter where the advancements of humanity will reach in the future, food will always be hiding on our tables, ready to eat, as it plays an instrumental role in our lives.
