In a cozy kitchen, there is a burst of aroma. The cooks add a few drops of cooking wine to the pot to add a delicious flavor. At this time, the child next to him asked curiously, "Can I still eat this dish with wine?"This is not only a question that makes cooks stop what they are doing, but also a common concern for many families.
Cooking wine, as a common condiment in the kitchen, actually contains alcohol。So, is it safe for children to consume dishes with cooking wine?Behind this question, there is the essence of cooking wine, the role of alcohol in cooking, and health considerations.
Cooking wine is an indispensable condiment in cooking, but what exactly is it?The answer is not as simple as it seems. Cooking wine is actually a special type of liquor that is specifically used for cooking and is fundamentally different from the alcohol that is consumed on a daily basis. It is usually made from water, rice, wheat, or soybeans that have been fermented and contains a certain percentage of alcohol, but that doesn't mean it's just as drinkable as liquor or beer is.
The alcohol content in cooking wine is usually between 10% and 20%, which is much lower than regular drinking wine。For example, a common cooking wine has an alcohol content of about 15%, while ordinary baijiu usually has an alcohol content of more than 40%. Cooking wine is unique in that it adds a variety of spices and seasoning ingredients that enhance the flavor and aroma of food during cooking, making dishes more delicious.
In Chinese culinary traditions, cooking wine is widely used to remove the smell and aroma, as it penetrates the fibers of meat and vegetables to soften the ingredients and give them a unique aroma。For example, when making braised pork, adding an appropriate amount of cooking wine can not only remove the fishy smell of the meat, but also make the meat more tender and fragrant.
It is an indisputable fact that cooking wine contains alcohol. But when it comes to children, the effects of alcohol are no longer a trivial matter. A child's body and brain are in a developing phase, and even trace amounts of alcohol can have adverse effects.
First, alcohol has a potentially negative impact on children's physiological development. Children's livers are not fully developed and are nowhere near as capable of processing alcohol. This means that even a very small amount of alcohol can be taxing on their liver。For example, one study showed that children who were exposed to alcohol for a long time may have abnormal liver function parameters.
Secondly, the effects of alcohol on children's brains cannot be ignored. Brain development is a long-term and complex process, and alcohol can interfere with this process. For example, studies have shown that alcohol can affect the balance of neurotransmitters, which in turn can affect mood and cognition。In extreme cases, excessive alcohol intake can even lead to learning disabilities or behavioral problems.
Finally, eating habits begin to form in childhood. If children are regularly exposed to foods that contain alcohol, they may develop a false perception of alcohol。Not only can this affect their health choices, but it can also be a risk of alcohol abuse in the future.
Cooking wine is often added to cooking for the purpose of adding flavor to food. However, a key question emerges: where does the alcohol in cooking wine go during the cooking process?To understand this, we must first understand the volatile properties of alcohol.
When cooking wine is heated, the alcohol in it is low because of its low boiling point (7837 °C) before water (100 °C) begins to evaporate. This means that as the cooking time increases, more alcohol will be evaporated。For example, studies have shown that about 40% of the alcohol can be volatilized after boiling cooking wine for 10 minutesIf boiled for 30 minutes, the volatilization of alcohol can reach 85%.
But there are exceptions, such as stewed dishes. Because the lid is tightly closed during the simmering process, the steam circulates in the pot and the evaporation of alcohol is slowed down, resulting in a certain amount of alcohol remaining in the final dish。In this case, the amount of alcohol residue in the cooking wine depends on the cooking time and temperature.
Cooking wine, as an indispensable condiment in cooking, is often a concern for parents because it contains alcohol. Especially when preparing food for children, how to use cooking wine correctly to preserve the flavor and ensure health has become a must-learn culinary knowledge.
First and foremost, it is crucial to understand the role of cooking wine in cooking。The addition of cooking wine not only enhances the flavor of the dish, but also helps to remove the smell and increase the flavor. However, a common misconception about the alcohol in cooking wine is that the cooking process completely evaporates these alcohols. Actually, it depends on the cooking time and method。Studies have shown that the longer the cooking time, the less alcohol is left in the food. For example, about 60% of the alcohol can be evaporated after an hour of simmering, while only 25% of the alcohol may be evaporated by a quick stir-fry.
Therefore, when cooking for children, it is advisable to reduce the amount of cooking wine used and try to choose dishes that have been cooked for a long time。For example, stewed vegetables or boiled soups are better choices. In addition, to ensure that the alcohol is as volatile as possible, cooking wine can be added at the beginning of the cooking phase of the dish and sufficient cooking time can be maintained.
Another point of concern is the substitute for cooking wine. Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice are two commonly used substitutes that are alcohol-free while bringing a refreshing sour flavor to dishes。For dishes that need to be de-fishy, ginger ale is a healthier option.
Finally, when considering giving your child dishes that contain cooking wine, it is important to do what you can. If you have very young children in your family, or family members who are particularly sensitive to alcohol, it is more prudent to avoid cooking wine.