Food Technology; Key words.

Important key words.

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Key words.

Fermentation uses yeast to convert carbohydrates into alcohol and carbon dioxide. In bread making, yeast is added to flour and water causing the dough to rise.

Flavouring can be savoury, like herbs and spices, or sweet, like sugar or sweeteners. Sugar helps to soften the sharp taste of grapefruit.

Shortening uses of oils and fats to reduce the development of gluten in pastry to make the dough less stretchy.

Stabilising helps food keep its structure. Eggs and flour are used for stabilising.

Setting means using ingredients to make foods firm, such as gelatine to set cold desserts.

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Key words.

Binding uses fats, eggs, cereals and flour to bind ingredients. For example, egg is used to bind together a biscuit mixture.

Bulking forms the main structure of a food product, such as flour in biscuits and cakes.

Enrobing means coating a food with another ingredient, for example, dipping fish in beaten egg and then breadcrumbs.

Enriching is the addition of an ingredient to improve the quality. Nutrients are sometimes added to increase nutritional value

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Key words.

Solution is when one substance is dissolve in another one, for example when sugar is dissolved in water we get a sugar solution.

Colloid is a general term for when two substances are mixed together. For example milk has a colloidal structure, because it is made from microscopic drops of fat dispersed in a water-based liquid.

Emulsion is when two unblendable liquids are mixed together, for example, oil and vinegar. An emulsifier like egg yolk is needed to stop them from separating. Emulsions are a particular type of colloid. Mayonnaise is an emulsion.

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Key words.

  • Foam is when air bubbles are incorporated into a liquid, such as in whipped cream and meringue

  • Gel contains a small amount of a solid in a large amount of liquid. A small amount of gelatine can set a large amount of liquid.

  • Suspension is when a solid is held in a liquid. The solid may sink if the mixture is not stirred. Flour (solid) is suspended in milk (liquid) when making a cheese sauce.

  • Browning uses fats, eggs, sugar, milk, flour or oil, which darken a food when heated.
  • Glazing adds a shiny coating, for example, pastry brushed with beaten egg before cooking.
  • Icing can add colour and texture
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Key words.

  • Preservatives extend the shelf life of a product. Salt is used used in bacon and sausages.
  • Colouring makes food products look more appealing and appetising.
  • Flavourings can be used to add or improve the flavour of a food product. Vanilla flavouring is often added to cakes and biscuits.
  • Emulsifiers are used to prevent ingredients from separating. For example, lecithin, which is found in eggs, is used to stop the ingredients in mayonnaise from separating.
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Key words.

  • Aerating incorporates air by sieving, creaming, whisking, beating, folding and rolling, or rubbing in. Raising agents can be used to make a mixture lighter, for example, baking power is used in cakes.
  • Coagulation is when something thickens from a liquid to a solid. For example, raw eggs are clear and runny but become white and solid when heated.
  • Preserving helps food to last longer through freezing, canning, jam-making, or pickling. Fats, sugar and oil are used in preserving.
  • Tenderising tough meat makes it easier to eat. Lemon juice, vinegar or wine can be used as a marinade, or meat can be tenderised with mechanical action using a meat mallet or slow cooking.
  • Thickening uses eggs, pulses, cereals and fruit to thicken liquids such as milk, and heat is usually applied. Egg custard is made like this.
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Thank you for sharing this resource - I am hopeless at Food Technology and wasn't too keen on taking it (it is compulsory in our school; and I hate ALL the rest) This is really simple and precise!

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