
How do roast potatoes stay so hot for so long?
The science behind your burnt mouth during Sunday roasts.
It’s mostly to do with the fatty, starchy crust that acts like an insulating layer. First, pre-boiling a potato causes its starch granules to absorb water and swell until carbohydrate molecules seep out to create a kind of thick gel.
The high temperature in the oven then drives off moisture, causing the gelatinised starch on the outside of the potato chunks to form a crispy crust, trapping the heat inside. The fat from the baking tray also collects in cracks and crevices and strengthens the heat-keeping structure.
Asked by: Sarah Fullerton, London
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Authors
Dr Emma Davies is a science writer and editor with a PhD in food chemistry from the University of Leeds. She writes about all aspects of chemistry, from food and the environment to toxicology and regulatory science.
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