Kitchen Myths

     There are many "old wives' tales" about things that are perpetuated even today. The majority of these, I've found, relate to cooking in general. Since I learned before that molecular gastronomy is being used to get rid of some of these nonsensical ideas, I went on a search for examples. I found this article, and learned about several different kitchen myths.
     The first myth I learned about is one which I always felt was a little fishy. As someone who frequently cooks things which must be boiled first (vegetables, pasta, the like) I was always curious as to why adding salt was necessary for greens. As it turns out, it's not! Adding salt does not do any of the things I've heard- for example, it  brings out the color of the greens or lowers the water temperature. In fact, the author says in a blind taste test, many could not tell the difference between greens cooked in salty vs. unsalty water.
     I also discovered the myth about not allowing egg yolks and whites to touch when making a meringue is untrue. There are many strange rules for making meringues, so it is often easiest to simply believe the rules. However, some of them are just outrageous- if the tiniest bit of egg yolk mixes with the white, it will still be able to form peaks.
     The most useful bit of information on this page, though, is how it refutes the "x minutes per pound" theory about cooking meat. As it turns out, the weight does not matter as much as the thickness of the cut. From cooking a lot of pork roast, I know that the center temperature is most important- this means the meat is completely cooked. However, inexperienced cooks may be going on time alone, and could end up with undercooked meat. Undercooked meat not only tastes bad, but can also harbor bacteria and other harmful things.
     Using molecular gastronomy to dispel food myths is the most practical application for it. Although it is cool to look at the pretty things chefs can do, the most important is educating the public. By giving people knowledge rather than myths, much like in the real world, everyone is greatly improved!