Food Science Glossary

noun A store or shop where chemicals and chemical products are sold

• The chemist conducted a series of experiments to determine the chemical composition of the substance.
• My friend works as a chemist and loves mixing different chemicals together in the lab.
• I heard that new chemist at the lab is a real wizard when it comes to creating new compounds.
• She approached the problem like a chemist, carefully analyzing each component before coming to a conclusion.

verb to change from a liquid to a solid or semisolid state; to clot

• The blood began to coagulate after being exposed to air for a few minutes.
• I accidentally left the milk out and it started to coagulate.
• I can't believe how quickly gossip can coagulate in this town.
• The tension in the room seemed to coagulate, making everyone uneasy.

noun a substance that is able to be eaten or consumed

adjective describing a quality of being able to be eaten or consumed

• The chef prepared a variety of edible arrangements for the event.
• I only eat edible flowers when they are in season.
• Those brownies were so good, they were totally edible.
• His jokes were so bad, they were barely edible.

noun a seasoned mixture of ground meat and fat, used as a stuffing or garnish

• The chef prepared a delicious forcemeat for the traditional French dish.
• I had never tried forcemeat before, but it turned out to be quite tasty.
• Some people find forcemeat a bit weird, but I think it's pretty good.
• His words were like forcemeat, a mixture of truth and embellishment.

adjective relating to the ability of very small amounts of a substance to exert a biological effect

• The oligodynamic effect refers to the ability of very small amounts of certain metals to exhibit antimicrobial properties.
• I read an article about how oligodynamic materials can help kill bacteria on surfaces.
• That metal has some oligodynamic powers to keep things clean.
• His leadership style can be described as oligodynamic, as he has a subtle yet powerful influence on his team.

adjective relating to or affecting the sense of taste

• The gustatory system is responsible for our sense of taste.
• I love trying new foods and experiencing different gustatory sensations.
• This pizza is so gustatory, I can't get enough!
• His gustatory appreciation for music was evident in the way he savored each note.

noun a substance produced by the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria, commonly used in the production of vinegar

• Acetic ferment is a type of bacteria that converts alcohol into acetic acid.
• I heard that acetic ferment is used to make vinegar.
• Yo, did you know that acetic ferment is like the magic ingredient in making sour stuff?
• Just like acetic ferment transforms alcohol into vinegar, sometimes challenges can transform us into stronger individuals.

noun A numerical value that represents the amount of free fatty acids present in a substance, typically in a chemical compound or a food product.

• The acid value of the sample was determined using a titration method.
• I found out the acid value of that substance by doing a simple test.
• I checked the acid value and it was off the charts!
• Her acid value towards the situation was evident in her sharp remarks.

noun a type of mushroom belonging to the Agaricus genus

• Agaricine is a type of toxin found in certain types of mushrooms.
• I heard that agaricine is what makes some mushrooms poisonous.
• Watch out for mushrooms with agaricine in them, they can make you sick.
• The presence of agaricine in the situation was like a hidden danger waiting to be discovered.