Introduction
Are you a sweet tooth by nature? Would you love to be able to create gorgeous desserts that could make mouths water? Then you need to understand the science behind desserts and the techniques you can use to make them.
With a little practice, you can soon be whipping up delicious treats to share with friends and family. But first, it’s important to understand the basics of the science of desserts.
What is the Science of Desserts?
The science of desserts is the application of the principles and techniques of food science, nutrition and culinary arts to create dishes of delicious sweetness. This includes understanding the properties of ingredients and how to use certain methods of preparation and cooking. For example, some ingredients require different methods of preparation in order to release their unique flavors and textures.
The science of desserts includes taking into account the way each ingredient will react with other ingredients, the temperature and time it needs to cook, the role of acids and bases, and more.
Understanding Ingredients
It’s essential to understand the properties of each ingredient you’ll be using in desserts. This will help you determine the best method of preparation and use. Different ingredients can provide a variety of textures, flavors and aromas and can act in different ways when combined.
For example, sugar is a key ingredient in many desserts as it makes them sweeter. It can be used in multiple forms such as evaporated cane sugar, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and powdered or caster sugar. Each type of sugar adds different properties to a dessert. Granulated and evaporated cane sugar dissolve quickly, while brown sugar adds a light molasses flavor to cakes. Powdered or caster sugar provides texture and structure.
Fats are also an important ingredient in desserts. They provide texture and richness to cakes, pastries and cookies. Common types of fats used in desserts include butter, margarine, oil, and cream. Each type of fat has different properties. For example, butter gives a creamy flavor, whereas margarine or oil can create a fluffy texture.
Utilizing Techniques
The techniques used to create desserts, such as boiling, simmering and baking, are essential to achieve the optimal result. Boiling is used to cook ingredients in a liquid, while simmering is used to keep a liquid at a low temperature. Baking, on the other hand, is used to cook food in an oven.
It’s important to understand the right temperature and time for each technique to be used. For example, boiling fruit in sugar syrup helps to reduce it quickly, while simmering provides a gentler reduction. Similarly, baking cakes rewards patience – bake them too quickly, and they’ll crumble, bake them too slowly and they’ll be dry.
Acids And Bases
Acids and bases react with each other and can help to create new flavors or to alter existing ones. For example, adding lemon juice or lime juice to a coconut cream can help to balance the sweetness of the dessert and enhance its flavor. Similarly, adding baking soda to a cake batter creates air bubbles, resulting in a lighter and airier crumb.
Cooling And Setting
Cooling and setting are essential for some desserts. Refrigerating a cake to cool it evenly will help set it and make it more stable. Similarly, gelatin is often added to give desserts a firm yet soft set. This can be done by stirring a gelatine powder into a liquid and then allowing it to “bloom,” or become transparent.
Mirror Glaze
Mirror glazes are popular in contemporary desserts. They’re glossy, smooth surfaces that give cakes a reflective finish. This can be done by heating sugar and glucose syrup together and then adding condensed milk, cream and butter. The glaze should then be poured over a chilled cake and left to set in the refrigerator.
Decorations
Decorations are the finishing touches to most desserts. From sprinkles and edible glitter, to chocolate drizzle, cream decorations or fresh fruit, there are endless ways to decorate your creations.
Conclusion
Creating delicious desserts requires an understanding of the science behind them, from which ingredients and techniques to use to why certain methods are used. With a little bit of knowledge, you can make beautiful, appealing desserts with exciting flavors and textures. So we hope this guide has equipped you with the basics to get you started on creating some wonderful desserts of your own!