Fundamentals

Why do the fundamentals matter?

When you understand the fundamentals of cooking, it transforms how you approach food.

Have you ever wondered:
  • Why does browning food make it more delicious?
  • What do spices actually do in a recipe?
  • How do I properly substitute ingredients?

The fundamentals of cooking are the whole reason Cook Well exists. Look out for these elements integrated into our recipes and articles.

Flavor

Flavor is a perception formed in the brain, not just in our mouths. It is so much more than just how something ‘tastes’.

Flavor is created by the molecules that make up food, the reactions those molecules go through, and the techniques used to achieve those reactions.

Techniques

Techniques are how we cause food reactions to occur. One technique can cause one or many different reactions.

Reactions

Reactions are the result of the food molecules changing. Reactions can drastically change the 6 elements of flavor and are achieved through cooking techniques.

Molecules

Molecules are the building blocks of food. The molecules in a particular ingredient or dish dictate what type of reactions food can go through.