when lemon juice is added at the beginning of cooking lentils why does it slow the cooking?

Posted by admin on February 15th, 2010 and filed under juice | 2 Comments »

why does lemon juice slow the cooking of lentils when added at the beginning? does altering the pH effect the way lentils cook on a molecular level?

Boiling points are largely determined by intermolecular (hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic/hydrophilic) interactions. These three functional groups all contain an electron donor (oxygen or nitrogen) with a different willingness to share its electrons and thus a different capacity to hold on to other molecules. The tighter these interactions are, the higher the boiling point will be. The citric acid in Lemon Juice, a weak carboxylic acid, decomposes below boiling point at 175°C while water boils at 100°C.

**NOTE: If you’re using a small amount of lemon juice, then it probably is not really effecting the boiling point**

2 Responses

  1. Jashwant A Says:

    It doesnt!!
    References :

  2. ScientificConundrum Says:

    Boiling points are largely determined by intermolecular (hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic/hydrophilic) interactions. These three functional groups all contain an electron donor (oxygen or nitrogen) with a different willingness to share its electrons and thus a different capacity to hold on to other molecules. The tighter these interactions are, the higher the boiling point will be. The citric acid in Lemon Juice, a weak carboxylic acid, decomposes below boiling point at 175°C while water boils at 100°C.

    **NOTE: If you’re using a small amount of lemon juice, then it probably is not really effecting the boiling point**
    References :

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