Test 1 Explanation

Cauliflower that we used is the white variety which is called Snow Crown or Ravella. White cauliflower will turn into yellow colour when
1. It is cook in alkaline water (Ellie, n.d.).
2. It is cook in aluminium or iron pot, its white colour will turn into yellow or greenish-brown colour (Barbara Feiner, 2009).

At first, we are adding 1g of salt into the cooking water of cauliflower as mimicking the cooking situation in home. The white cauliflower turns into yellow colour. Then, we are adding one table spoon of milk into the cooking water of cauliflower with present of salt. The white cauliflower remains as white colour after milk is being added into its cooking water.

White cauliflower contains anthoxanthin (Loblaws, n.d). Anthoxanthin is a water soluble pigment which is white to yellow colour. White cauliflower cooks in plain water will appear as creamy white. When we cook white cauliflower in alkaline water which is salt water, the anthoxanthin in white cauliflower will turn into yellow colour. The texture of the cauliflower also affected where texture of cauliflower will become mush. When milk is added into the cooking water of cauliflower, the cooking water becomes slightly acidic. Cauliflower remains white as anthoxanthin pigment is white colour in acidic water (Michigan State University, 2001). Cauliflower will have a firm texture in acidic water (Loblaws, n.d.). Vinegar or lemon juice also can be added into the cooking water of cauliflower to remain the white colour of cauliflower (Ellie, n.d.).

pH of fresh milk is range from 6.7 to 6.5 where it is slightly acidic. Milk contains proteins that have a weak acid and weak base in its chemical structure. Thus, milk can behave as a buffer solution (Milk, n.d.). The buffer ability of milk helps to maintain the pH of cooking water. The pH of cooking water will be slightly acidic or in neutral.

We are using different brands of milk to remain the white colour of cauliflower. There are no different changes in colour of cauliflower when cauliflower is cook with different brands of milk.