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My favorite lesson/activity from this course was the food additives assignments. I enjoyed learning about the diferent types of chemicals in many foods that I consume everyday (did mine on Allura Red 40). Creating a powerpoint presentation & newspaper article was something I also enjoyed doing because I use art as a calming mechanism. These activities also helped me learn about the assignment more in depth, using art as a part of the learning process.

-Alexia Ashmeed

11/19/25

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My favorite lesson was on flour mixtures. It highlighted how important it is to understand the components of each ingredient, since factors like protein content and moisture directly affect how long you let yeast rise or how a product bakes. There are many different elements that influence the outcome of something as simple as a basic meal compared to more complex items like bread or cakes. I will definitely use these lessons as guidelines when cooking. Although I follow videos on baking it is very important to not follow everything if it's not safe. - Melissa Caceres

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My favorite activity throughout the semester were the crossword puzzles, this helped me remember many and different concepts of the topics we were reviewing and used the, to study. I enjoyed this activity because it boosted my knowledge about nutrition overall and helped my learning process throughout the semester. I also enjoyed writing the news report for the last concept assignment as I found out more about additives and benefits and risks they can bring to food.

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My favorite activity from this course was our first concept assignment on the color preference test. Color can actually change how people see things in general especially in food. Testing out the different colored lemonade on different people in my family showed me their thoughts and opinions on each color and either some line up or some don't. Besides preference of color, it also proved many other things I learned in the course such as how age also effects taste and preference as well.

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My favorite activity through the semester was crosswords because they were fun to do and helped me learn the content in an easy and informative way. I also liked the last concept assignment, specially making the PowerPoint presentation on Tartrazine. I liked the concept of finding different ingredients with Yellow 5 in it and was surprised with how easy it is to find, especially with the risks it can have on your health. Overall, I thought that this was an informative class and enjoyed taking it. Thank you for a productive semester! -Hira Yasir

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My favorite activity from this course was the concept assignments. I enjoyed doing the colored lemonade concept assignment, as well as, the enzymatic browning apple concept assignment. I also enjoyed doing the crossword puzzles since it was like a version of active recall, which allowed me to better understand and remember the concepts.

- Carmen Liang

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My favorite activity from this course is the concept assignment. I enjoy doing the Food Additives because it allowed me to deeply explore a topic—MSG—that I had heard about for years but never truly understood. The research process was interesting and engaging, especially as I discovered how widely MSG is used in everyday products. I also liked that the assignment helped me think more critically about how media shapes public perception of food additives. -Emily Wang

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My favorite memory from the course was going over coffee (Beverages Chapter). I have worked part-time in a local cafe for 4 years of my life now, and it was fun for me to review things (such as composition of a cappuccino and latte) in class that I make at work every day. The next day after taking the quiz, I remembered bragging to my coworkers how easy the quiz was because of my abundant experience with coffee. Not to mention, we also roast our own beans in-store, so I also had previous knowledge of that as well. Attached, I have added my own latte art; hopefully, those who like coffee also enjoyed the beverages chapter as much as I did.

Seonin Lee

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My favorite part of the course was definitely the concept assignments my favorite being testing ph levels of different things on apples. It really gave me a different perspective to what can really happen to a simple food like an apple putting household things on it, imagine what happens to other foods with other scales of higher or lower ph. I also really enjoyed the course words as it was a way for me to make sure I know what was being taught and also just a fun activity to complete

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My favorite part of this class was the concept assignments, especially the one with the apples. It was the first time I have completed an experiment in a long time. Seeing the effects of the different liquids on the apple browning was really interesting. Seeing how lemon juice preserved the apples the most, and learning the actual chemistry behind it was very interesting. I liked to learn specifically about additives and the risks they have to health. Learning more about the foods we eat was really interesting as I thought I would never learn these aspects of food. For future students I would emphasize the importance of staying on track and on top of the assignments, exams, and weekly quizzes.

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In this course, my favorite activity was the concept work in which I observed the changes in apple enzymes, which allowed me to understand the changes in apple cubes when soaked in different liquids, as well as learning a lot about nutrition in this course so that I can understand more about the changes in food in our daily lives and the concepts of food nutrition in our daily lives.

-Jun Yu

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My two favorite activities in this course were the concept assignments (2 and 4) and the crossword puzzles. The concept assignments were both hands on and gave me an insight into things I usually overlook regarding food. I enjoyed seeing which liquid would aid in the browning process of the apple slices and figuring out how many foods had food additives. The crossword puzzles were also usually in remember important terms that were later on quizzes and test. For future student my advice would be to pace yourself and do not get overwhelmed by the material. It appears to be a lot but if you create a system that works for you, you’ll be successful. Also, do not be afraid to ask your classmates questions! Especially when you forget minor details that are need to obtain an A on the book report or written assignments. Again, just pace yourself and have fun!

Darlene Phillips

12/10/2025

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My favorite part of this semester was the unit on Fruits (Chapter 14), specifically the connection to the Concept Assignment 2. I found it fascinating to analyze how chemical factors, such as pH levels, directly affect the stability and visual appeal of fruits. It bridged the gap between scientific theory and real-world application for me. Additionally, I really appreciated learning about the practical aspects of fruit composition, specifically the nutritional benefits and proper storage requirements, which are skills I can immediately apply to my daily life.

- Zixin Ye

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From this course, my favorite activity was the book report assignment. It introduced me to a book that I normally would not have picked up. The book I chose (Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus), I found myself enjoying reading about Elizabeth and her journey throughout the novel. It brought into the light how societal expectations of gender coincide with chemistry (or science). I also found the second concept activity (enzymatic browning) extremely enjoyable. It taught me how to use different solutions, like lemon juice, in combination with foods to retain the ‘brightness’ of a fruit.

- Kirsten Ooi

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My favorite part of this course overall was all of the crossword puzzles that we did. The puzzles were an effective way for me to remember and practice all of the different terminology I learned, as well as prepare for the quizzes that we had in this class. The puzzles served as a fun way for me to remember different concepts and so I really enjoyed doing those each time we had one as an assignment. One of the other aspects I also liked from this course was the concept assignment related to enzymatic browning as it was fun to observe how each of the different solutions impacted an apple slice over a period of time. It was enjoyable to wait and observe the changes and conclude whether my intial theories of the results would be correct or not. This class truly helped me learn a lot about different methods of cooking and more about food in general.

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Concept Assignment #2 - Enzymatic Browning Results

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My favorite activity from this course was the second concept assignment about enzymatic browning. It was fun to conduct a lab experiment in my own home. I liked seeing how the apples changed in appearance at different times. I had always been told to put lemon juice on my apples to help them keep for longer, but never understood the science behind it. It was interesting to see how lemon juice was the best protector against enzymatic browning in real time. I enjoyed connecting this assignment to improving my packed lunches. I also liked learning about phenolic compounds and how they are beneficial to human health. Before the semester started, I had no idea what phenolic compounds were, and definitely did not know about how they can support antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic activities in the human body. I learned that when apples or other fruits brown, the benefits of phenolic compounds decrease, so it is important to preserve them.

Lyle Roddey

12/14/2025

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My favorite part of the class was learning more in depth about nutrition. Although I had taken Nutrition 101 before, this course allowed me to truly explore the science behind how nutrients affect the body. Understanding the reasoning behind dietary choices helped me see nutrition in a new way and made me appreciate how what we eat directly impacts our health and well-being.-amina abbas

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My favorite activity from this semester was doing the concept assignment with the red cabbage juice. I had a lot of fun mixing the cabbage juice into the different solutions and seeing the colors form due to different pH's. I found it so interesting that baking soda solution (normally white) turned blue like the ocean when the indicator was dropped. At the end, I mixed all the different solutions in one bowl thinking that it would be easy to discard, but it actually exploded due to the baking soda solution 😅. It was easy to clean up, though!

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My favorite activity from this course was the third concept assignment where I find pigments changing due to the pH. I did not expect the colors that I got from some of the liquids. It was also interesting to learn that the cabbage can be used as a pH indicator.

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My favorite activity from the course was the experiment about making lemonade with different colors and evaluating taste perception based on it. This experiment made me realize that the Fruit Loops all taste the same; it is just the color that makes me think each loop has an assigned flavor, like blueberry. I tried them all with my eyes closed, and you cannot tell the difference.

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My favorite activity was the enzymatic browning concept assignment. It was fun to do the experiment and how the different apple slices brown at different rates depending on the liquid it was submerged in. I also liked the research portion of it and finding out why some slices browned more or less than others. I also liked the book report assignment as it prompted me to read a book that I normally wouldn't read, and I learned a lot from it (I chose the book In Defense of Food). Overall, I learned a lot more about food, its nutrients, and the science behind it all.

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My favorite activity this semester was the "Factors affecting food pigment," with the cabbage indicator. It always amazes me how there are so many things naturally present in nature that help us in our scientific discoveries. Before pH test and litmus papers even existed, red cabbage was present. It was a fun and quick experiment, and the research about anthocyanins was also very interesting to me.

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My favorite concept was the food additives and book assignment. It was very interesting to go through all of the food in the grocery stores to see which items had aspartame and I was surprised even some non-diet foods had it. I also really enjoyed being able to learn about about the history behind school lunches since it directly affecetd me growing up in American public schools.

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My favorite activity was the crossword puzzles because they helped me test myself and better understand the content we were learning. I also enjoyed the concept assignments because they were interactive and a visual way to learn.

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My favorite was the experiments. The concept assignments allowed me to experiment with food and take a better assessment of food items. I really enjoyed learning about the different ways food are manipulated.

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My favorite memory from the course was doing the concept assignment with my siblings. Turning it into something playful, adding the food coloring and watching their faces when they drank the lemonade made the whole experience unforgettable. It was such a simple moment, but seeing their reactions reminded me that learning doesn’t have to be rigid or stressful. This course gave me the chance to connect creativity, family, and understanding in a way I didn’t expect, and that’s something I’ll always remember. - Simana Promi

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My favorite activity was the concept assignment about any food additive because I learned a lot about how important it is to check the ingredients in our food. It taught me to be more mindful and careful of what I buy from the supermarket because certain ingredients can affect our heath negatively.

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My favorite memory from this course was learning about was Module 12, on soups, stocks, and sauces and Module 14. I got to learn more in depth on how to cook these different food items, and apply them later on. It helped me know how to properly prepare a stock and broth, which I tried doing and also learning about turkey preparation will help me improve on my cooking for next year's thanksgiving. Overall, most of the modules were very informative and useful in knowing how to properly handle, store, and cook food items that I think is not always common knowledge or taught by anyone growing up. I also took a lot away from the book I read for the paper. - Samira Khuseynova

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My favorite assignment in this class was the Color – Preference Test. I really enjoyed learning about how the color of a food or drink can affect the way people think it tastes. Even though all the drinks were the same flavor, my friends often rated them differently because of the color. I liked watching their reactions and realizing how much our sight can influence taste without us even noticing.

This experiment helped me understand that color is very important in food choices. It can show ripeness, strength, or even how the food was cooked. I also learned that even small changes in color can make a big difference in how people experience food. Doing this assignment was fun, hands-on, and made the class feel more interesting. I enjoyed connecting what we learned in lectures to a real experiment that shows how the senses affect the way we enjoy food.

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My favorite activities from this course were the crossword puzzles and the food additive concept assignment. The crosswords were fun and helped me remember terms in a more interactive way. I also really enjoyed the food additive project because it got me to actually go into stores and look at the ingredient labels. It was eye-opening to see the chemical I researched being added to so many of the snacks and drinks I usually buy.

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My favorite activities throughout this course were the concept assignments. I specifically really enjoyed the color preferences test assignment. I enjoyed prepping for the test, from going to the store to shop for some food coloring to adding the food coloring to lemonade before my participants arrived. I had lots of fun running this experiment, it was funny to see my participants be so skeptical and even concerned about what they were about to drink each time I handed them a cup with a different color drink. The reactions were priceless after they took a sip of drink, it was funny to see them having such different but yet dramatic reactions to what I was aware was the same drink in different colors. I learned so much about affective testing and food preferences based on our senses. Overall, these assignments were so hands on and interactive! - Katherine Mejicanos

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My favorite activity was concept assignment 1. I used my siblings as test subjects for the dyed beverage and it was funny to see them get confused and try to guess the difference between each drink. I also enjoyed researching it later and learning more about how senses work together. Another activity I really enjoyed was the crossword puzzles. I'm a long-time crossword enthusiast, so they scratched my brain whenever we had them as an assignment. They also really helped me remember the definitions of complex terms that I probably would have otherwise forgotten.

Cruz Warshaw

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My favorite part of the class was the concept assignments. It reminded me of science classes when I was younger. I enjoyed seeing how the apples change over time. I thought these experiments were fun, and I had almost all the supplies at home, which was convenient. Thank you, I enjoyed this semester! -Rachelle Paredes

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My favorite activity were the Concept assignments that we had done. I loved being able to research and perform hands-on experiments with other people or look for resources in stores to broaden my knowledge not just through a screen. I think in my case Food Concept 1 and 3 (The color preference and food additive tests ) were the most exciting as I was originally curious about aspartame as I don't drink sodas and always saw it listed as an ingredient in diet soda's that my friends drank as well as gum brands I regularly chew on. If I had any advice I would say to carefully read over your book and watch the required videos. Sometimes I would struggle on a couple questions in the quiz and revisit them after I submit to find the answers hiding in plain sight throughout the chapters. - Rune Baldwin

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To be honest, discovering how much food science relates to daily life is my favorite memory from this course. The chapter on fish and shellfish caught my attention since it challenged my preconceived notions about the foods I already eat without being overpowering.
After reading the chapter, I recall realizing how quickly fish cooks in comparison to other foods. Even in little situations like cooking or watching someone prepare, it felt good to recognize anything from class in real life. At that point, the course began to seem beneficial rather than just another prerequisite.

I included a picture of my favorite dish such as a fish (picture taken from internet) as that's when I recognized that I was truly recalling what I had learnt. All in all, this course made me pay more attention to food than I had previously, and that is what I will remember the most.

Mohammed

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My favorite module was Module 2, especially Concept Assignment #1, the Color–Preference Test. I really enjoyed this assignment because it helped me understand how seeing different colors can influence the way we taste. It was very interesting to see how colors can change the expectation of the food. In this assignment, all the drinks were the same instead of one drop of food color, but because of the food color, the test subjects said that they were all different in a way. But my favorite was assignment 3 where I was able to make different types of household items with apple juice and other materials like baking soda vinegar. I liked this assignment the most because all the different colors were very vibrant and changed once it was fully mixed. Especially when the color changed, I was able to calculate the possible pH Level. which to me was very interesting and made me enjoy this class. and this was my most favorite image for this class!

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What I will remember most from this course is how strongly sight influences food perception. The lemonade color experiment showed that even when foods taste the same, color can change how enjoyable they seem. Seeing yellow lemonade consistently rated higher helped me understand how expectations, learned associations, and psychology play a major role in how we experience food. This course made me more aware of how visual cues affect everyday eating choices. My advice to students taking this course in the future is to stay open-minded and take the sensory activities seriously. The hands-on experiments make the concepts easier to understand and apply. Focus on making observations by connecting results to the course material, and not overthinking the assignments. This approach will help make the course both manageable and interesting. I quite enjoyed learning a lot about what we consume and the prep work aside.

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My favorite activity in the class was doing the experiments. Even though I only needed to submit the required ones, I chose to complete all of them, while only turning in the assignments that were necessary. I found it especially interesting to see how my family had different opinions about the experiment with juice and food coloring. I also enjoyed learning about additives such as Red Dye No. 3 and Red Dye No. 40. Through this, I realized how many products contain Red Dye No. 40 and how frequently we consume items with this additive.

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One of my favorite things about the semester was completing the diffrent crossword puzzes. It opened my mind up to new vocabulary words, and it was interesting to learn about different aspects of food. I also really enjoyed the concept assignments which allowed us to do experiments. It was really cool to see how we could test some of the products that we use on a day to day basis to test theories about food.