What are opaque foam that appears in the food pot when cooking?

In addition to preparing food such as bone stew, boiling meat . when we make tea, pouring beer will also see a thick layer of air bubbles emerging on the surface of the liquid. Many people think that it is dirt, needs to be removed. However, there are also mixed opinions around this.

Why are bubbles created when we process food?

To understand why the bubble layer is created when stewing or boiling food, you first need to know what 'surface tension' is.

Surface tension is caused by the force created by liquids such as water, to make the surface as small as possible. To put it simply, it is the contraction force of the liquid surface.

This foam itself is a nutrient.

Pure water has great surface tension and large surface shrinkage force, not easy to foam. As for broths, soups, dilute porridge water, small surface tension, easily create bubbles floating on the surface.

When processing food, organic substances such as proteins, carbohydrates . in food will be dissolved, dispersed in water, reducing the surface tension of liquids. Thereby creating continuous dense foam layer and stability during cooking.

Does that air bubble have nutritional value?

The answer is yes. The foam itself is a nutrient . Food creates foam because it contains organic matter, dissolves in water and creates foam when we use a spoon, chopsticks to pick and stir.

In addition, the bubble also contains some fat-soluble nutrients such as fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamin A, D, E, K.

This foam layer has certain nutritional value, but it is not without basis to say that this foam layer is a dirty substance.

Besides, the foam created when making tea contains saponins, has antibacterial function, regulates blood lipid and protects the heart. Similarly, the foam when cooking soy milk also contains saponins, which have antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-atherosclerotic functions.

Although this layer of bubble has certain nutritional value, it is not without basis to say that this layer of foam is a dirt. Let's take a closer look to get a clear answer.

Are air bubbles generated during food processing harmful ingredients?

As mentioned above, air bubbles contain organic matter and some good fat-soluble nutrients. But they may also contain some harmful fat-soluble substances.

Bubbles appear when we boil bones and boil meat.

For example, drugs such as antibiotics, pesticides, etc. and other ingredients in food can also take the opportunity to penetrate the foam. This is also a problem that many people worry. But currently, there is no research data on harmful substances in air bubbles when cooking, whether it is harmful to human health or not.

If the food is processed by your own hands, cultivated, nourished, not using agricultural drugs, you absolutely do not have to worry about toxic substances, peace of mind enjoying the nutritional value of air bubbles.

How to handle air bubbles properly

1. Foam is produced at cooking and boiling

Most foams are created by food like meat when they are boiled. This is due to residual blood, residues, and protein denaturation at high temperatures . This foam has a raw, clear fishy smell that will affect the appearance and taste of the dish.

Therefore, this foam layer should be removed. And the white foam layers produced later, do not need to be removed, can retain.

2. Foam is produced when cooking soy milk

When cooking soy milk, a lot of foam is created due to the rich saponin content in soy . Therefore, this air bubbles should not be removed.

The correct method is to lower the temperature, or add a few drops of cooking oil and continue to heat for a while. This will help protease in soy limit the activity of anti-nutrients. From there, soy milk will be more delicious and more nutritious.

3. Pour beer to create air bubbles

Some people worry that the bubbles in purine-rich beer increase uric acid production, but this is not true.The beer foam is made by the protein, carbon dioxide in the beer makes up and the beer itself is a low purine beverage. So you do not need to worry about beer foam when pouring beer.