Learning to Cook and Other Things

My daughter sent us this superb tasting ready to prepare cappuccino mix. Made in Indonesia, it comes in two separate packs: (1)the coffee mix and (2)a much smaller sachet which contains the chocolate granules. Judging from the Italian flag type packaging I surmise the choco granules originated from Italy. I tried to experiment to test how the mix could achieve a superior flavor. For my initial test, I used 1 cup of boiling hot water per packmix and then added the chocolate granules. Ooooh! It was too sweet. The next time, I used 1 large mug of boiling hot water plus the chocolate granules. Surprise! I got the perfect blend. Unlike other coffee flavors, even those dispensed by large coffee shops, Tora Bika tastes good even when it is cold. Ingredients: Sugar, creamer, instant coffee, chocolate granules

Purpose: Replace vitamins and minerals lost in processing (enrichment), add nutrients that may be lacking in the diet (fortification) Application: Flour, breads, cereals, rice, macaroni, margarine, salt, milk, fruit beverages, energy bars, instant breakfast drinks Common Label Names: Thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin (Vitamin B2), niacin, niacinamide,folate or folic acid, beta carotene, potassium iodide, iron or ferrous sulfate, alpha tocopherols, ascorbic acid, Vitamin D, amino acids (L-tryptophan, L-lysine, L-leucine, L-methionine)

Purpose: Provide expected texture and a creamy “mouth-feel” in reduced-fat foods Application: Baked goods, dressings, frozen desserts, confections, cake and dessert mixes, dairy products Common Label Names: Olestra,cellulose gel,carrageenan, polydextrose, modified food starch, micro-particulated egg white protein, guar gum, xanthan gum, whey protein concentrate

Purpose: Enhance flavors already present in foods (without providing their own separate flavor) Application: Many processed foods Common Label Name: Monosodium glutamate (MSG), hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast extract, disodium guanylate or inosinate

Purpose: Add sweetness with or without the extra calories Application: Beverages, baked goods, confections, table-top sugar, substitutes, many processed foods Common Label Name Sucrose (sugar),glucose, fructose,sorbitol, mannitol,corn syrup,high fructose,corn syrup,saccharin,aspartame,sucralose,acesulfame potassium (acesulfame-K),neotame

Purpose: Add specific flavors (natural and synthetic) Application: Pudding and pie fillings, gelatin dessert mixes, cake mixes, salad dressings, candies, soft drinks, ice cream, BBQ sauce Common Label Name: Natural flavoring, artificial flavor, and spices

According to research Following are some reasons why ingredients are added to foods: * To Maintain or Improve Safety and Freshness: Preservatives slow product spoilage caused by mold, air, bacteria, fungi or yeast. In addition to maintaining the quality of the food, they help control contamination that can cause foodborne illness, including life-threatening botulism. One group of preservatives — antioxidants — prevents fats and oils and the foods containing them from becoming rancid or developing an off-flavor. They also prevent cut fresh fruits such as apples from turning brown when exposed to air. * To Improve or Maintain Nutritional Value: Vitamins and minerals (and fiber) are added to many foods to make up for those lacking in a person’s diet or lost in processing, or to enhance the nutritional quality of a food. Such fortification and enrichment has helped reduce malnutrition in the U.S. and worldwide. All products containing added nutrients must be appropriately labeled. * Improv