A little water helps expose the sodium so it can react with the chlorine gas. The reaction releases a lot of heat as the ionic compound sodium chloride is formed. A sodium and chlorine atom are near ...

MSG is sold as crystals, but they have a long, prismatic shape rather than the cubic form of sodium chloride. It's worth tasting a few crystals of MSG directly to experience the native taste of umami.

This daily thermal cycling creates the perfect environment for the process of expansion and contraction that gives rise to ...