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## **10. Why Do We Store Potatoes in the Dark?**
Ever wonder why Grandma always told you to keep potatoes in a dark place?
**The Real Reason: Preventing Solanine Build-Up**
When exposed to light, potatoes can produce chlorophyll (harmless but green) and solanine (toxic in large amounts). Solanine gives potatoes a bitter taste and can cause stomach upset.
**Kitchen Tip:**
Store potatoes in a cool, dark, dry place—ideally a pantry or cellar. Don’t store them with onions; they release gases that make each other spoil faster.
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## **11. Why Does Rice Stick to the Bottom of the Pan?**
You followed the instructions, but your rice is a crispy mess stuck to the bottom. Why?
**The Real Reason: Heat and Water Ratio**
When there’s not enough water or the heat is too high, the starches in the rice caramelize and stick to the pan. This is common with stainless steel cookware.
**Kitchen Tip:**
Use the correct water-to-rice ratio, lower the heat during cooking, and keep the lid on to trap steam. Or embrace it—some cultures *love* that crispy rice bottom (Iran’s “tahdig,” for example).
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## **12. Why Does Chocolate “Bloom”?**
Ever opened a chocolate bar and found a white, chalky coating? Is it mold?
**The Real Reason: Sugar or Fat Bloom**
– *Sugar bloom* happens when moisture dissolves sugar on the surface, then recrystallizes.
– *Fat bloom* happens when cocoa butter separates and rises to the surface.
**Is It Safe?**
Yes. It may look odd, but the chocolate is still edible—though the texture might be off.
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## **13. Why Do Fridge Smells Linger So Long?**
You took out the leftover garlic curry a week ago, but your fridge still smells like takeout.
**The Real Reason: Odor Absorption**
Fridges are enclosed spaces, and porous materials (like plastic shelves or containers) can absorb strong smells.
**Kitchen Tip:**
Place an open box of baking soda in the fridge to neutralize odors. You can also wipe down the interior with a mix of vinegar and water.
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## **14. Why Does Food Taste Different Cold vs. Hot?**
Pizza is amazing hot, but cold leftovers feel like a different food entirely.
**The Real Reason: Temperature Affects Taste Perception**
Hot foods release more aromatic compounds, which enhance flavor. Cold temperatures mute both aroma and sweetness, while enhancing saltiness and bitterness.
**Fun Fact:**
This is why ice cream tastes sweeter as it melts and why coffee can seem bitter once it cools.
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## **15. Why Do Some Foods Spark in the Microwave?**
Put a fork in the microwave and sparks fly. But sometimes even leftover lasagna can get flashy.
**The Real Reason: Metal and Mineral Content**
Metal reflects microwaves and can cause arcing (sparks). But foods like kale, carrots, or hot dogs can spark too—due to mineral content or uneven heating.
**Kitchen Tip:
