Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchHow do we see our breath in the air?
Episode 74
#074
This time of year, it's a common occurrence, something so common that we might not even wonder about it anymore. But really, why do we see our …
2 years, 1 month ago
Thermometers: what is the chemistry behind them?
Episode 178
#178
Thermometers tell us what temperature something is. But how do the thermometers know what the temperature is? Who tells the thermometers? Or ra…
2 years, 1 month ago
Bonus: How do "forever chemicals" sneak into our clothes? (and other questions)
Episode 273
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 51
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about PFAS/forever che…
2 years, 1 month ago
What is yogurt?
Episode 177
#177
Yogurt, sometimes known as thick milk. But what is it really? What happens at the molecular level, how does it become yogurt? And while we're a…
2 years, 2 months ago
What is cheese? And what does it have in common with soap?
Episode 104
#104 Rebroadcast
Seriously what the heck is cheese? It's a question we've all wondered, but most of us only ever know that it's from milk—but what e…
2 years, 2 months ago
What even is cinnamon?
Episode 176
#176
We're in the portion of the year where cinnamon finds its way into many things we eat and drink: our pies, our tea, our coffee, our wassail, ou…
2 years, 2 months ago
Bonus: What's the chemistry of kombucha? (and other questions)
Episode 269
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 50
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about mosquitos, kombu…
2 years, 2 months ago
What even is MSG? Is it bad for you?
Episode 175
#175
MSG! The ingredient many of us reference but few of us know anything about. What is it? Why does it make things taste so good? What's in it? Is…
2 years, 2 months ago
Why do onions make you cry?
Episode 16
#016 Rebroadcast
This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of onion tears, the emotional reaction we all have, against our will, when cutting …
2 years, 3 months ago
Why does(n't) turkey make you sleepy?
Episode 174
#174
For many folks in the US, today is a day where we eat Turkey! And many times the factoid/rumor makes the rounds that eating turkey makes you sl…
2 years, 3 months ago