Food Science: How to Make Edible Juice Bottles and Popping Boba

Completed by 5212 learners

Ages 9-14

Live One-Time Class

In this one-time course learners will use molecular gastronomy to make edible juice bottles and popping boba.

Danita

Average rating:

4.8

Number of reviews:

(1,560 reviews)

Live video meetings

Meets once

3-16 learners per class

60 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

1 live meeting

1 in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 4 - 7

In the 1940's spherification was discovered by mistake by a food scientist and used in molecular gastronomy since. It is simply the method of turning liquid into the shape of a sphere. In this class we use this process to create an edible juice bubble.
The learners will be introduced the science behind spherification while participating in a hands-on exploration. Once the students master the basic technique they will learn how to make various sizes and the application of each in food science. Edible juice bubbles have a few specialty ingredients, but they can be found online and are a good investment for a budding molecular gastronomist. 
 PLEASE READ THIS NOTE: Please make sure to check the "supplies needed" section for the list of supplies that will be needed for the course. Some ingredients cannot be found at local stores.

Learning Goals

Students will improve their knowledge in molecular gastronomy:
- what is a colloid?
- what is sodium alginate?
- why is sodium alginate required for this reaction to work?

Students will also use skills of measurement, operational steps, and critical thinking

Other Details

Parental Guidance

Supervision may be required with an immersion blender.

Supply List

CALCIUM LATATE POWDER (you will need 9 grams or 2.5 tsp in total) you can substitute this with calcium chloride or calcium lactate glutanate
SODIUM ALGINATE powder (you will need 1 gram or 1/2 tsp)
WATER (filtered tastes best, but tap is fine)
BLENDER (can use a whisk if you do not have a blender)
1 MEDIUM BOWL (should be able to fit 2 cups (500 mL) of liquid)
2 SPOONS
2 SMALL BOWLS (should be able to fit 1 cup (250 mL) of liquid in each)
tablespoon and teaspoon MEASURING SPOONS
MEASURING CUP
SYRINGE  (the size (diameter) of the syringe tip is the size the boba will be)
  - I use a 20 cc syringe (no needle)
  - You could also use a straw, baster, squeeze bottle, or a spoon
A FLAVORING for the boba
   - no pineapple juice, lemonade, coffee, or orange juice
   - I find that shaved ice syrups, soda, mango juice (less than 2% Calcium), and capri sun all work well (these are not the only flavorings that work though - you can feel free to message me if you have any questions regarding the flavoring you would like to use.)
BAKING SODA
SIEVE OR SMALL STRAINER

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Danita

Joined July, 2020

4.8

1560reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Hello! am a scientist and adventurer. I have a Masters degree in Animal Science with minors in Chemistry and Fish & Wildlife. I started my journey investigating sheep and goats, went on to study shrimp and zooplankton, and have many years of experience teaching STEM to students from preschool up to college.
The classes that I am currently teaching cover Food Science, Animal Science, Ichthyology, STEM experiments, and Women in STEM.
All my classes are anchored in exciting themes such as "Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse through STEM", "Interesting Animals from A to Z", and "Microscopic Adventures!". I generally have a short presentation which I try to keep 5-10 minutes long with the rest of the class time working with hands on learning. I create all my own high-quality material that your students will enjoy engaging with. My classroom is inclusive to all. 
Interesting facts about myself: 
1) I am an identical twin.
2) I have studied seabirds in Antarctica.