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Roy
 
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Priscilla Ballou wrote:


>She really got into the kneading and was
> fascinated with every step. We'll also be packing up some yeast for

her
> to "wake up" and look at under her microscope.


It appears your niece has more interest in microbiology than food
science<g>As she is more concerned how things work in the microscopic
level... say for example how yeast behave.

At my time when I was a kid I was more concerned what will happen when
I add this to that and what will come out.Why did things resulted in
such and how?
When I was able to make a satisfactory bread I pestered my mom once
again...but she threatened me ....If you want to enjoy your new found
hobby give me a peace of mind....if you insist I will not let you stay
in the kitchen with me anymore.....therefore better ask somebody else
knowledgeable in those matters.
Therefore....with all those questions running in my mind ...
I pestered my elementary school science teacher for answers:
What makes the dough rise, ....she says its due to the yeast and she
show me a microscopic picture of the yeast from a biology book... but
I keep asking how does it happen....by fermentation.....I ask
further.... what is all about?... its a chemical reaction....what is a
reaction?......when things react such as burning of wood.....but dough
is cold?.....its different matter due to enzymes that convert sugars
to alcohol and gas in a different way..... what is this gas?.....
Carbon dioxide the same kind that you exhales and comes out when you
go to the toilet... but I do not find the bread smelly....like peoples
breath and expelled gas from my butt....why its different?.......its
comes from the reaction of sugar and yeast enzymes. It does not have
impurities. that cause the odd smell...
What are impurities?. how was it produced..? how does the reaction
occur?.......
Thats enough!
The teacher glared at me....I am tired of your endless question....You
better study chemistry when you grow up and that will answer how things
happen and how reactions occur......
That it....curiosity it what makes people study science.And it my case
led me to chemistry and ever since then I was not always asking people
for explanation but have to seek the answer personally by literature
search, experiment,mathematical analysis etc.

Keep in mind....
A child hood interest on a particular line is a good indicator what
type of profession it will enter when they grow up.
I hope that she will be as inquisitive as me when I was a kid and not
just want to experience things due to novelty.
Roy