Savor the Science:
Inspire Your
Students with
Food Chemistry Experiments!

Looking for a fun way to engage your students in core chemistry fundamentals? Students are more likely to authentically engage with science when they see chemistry concepts applied to the real world. Food chemistry does just that by inviting students to examine the snacks, drinks, and pantry items that they consume on a regular basis through the lens of inquiry! 

Start Your Culinary Chemistry Investigations with Our Easy‑to‑Use Tools and Experiments

Introduce Your Students to Spectroscopy

Easily collect a full wavelength spectrum (absorbance, percent transmittance, or intensity) in less than one second.

Capable of connecting wirelessly or by USB, the Go Direct^® SpectroVis^® Plus Spectrophotometer can easily collect a full wavelength spectrum (absorbance, percent transmittance, or intensity) in less than one second. Once the peak wavelength is determined, you can establish the concentration of a solution (Beer’s law) or monitor rates of reactions. A low light path allows this device to be used for microscale labs and biochemistry applications with micro and semi‑micro cuvettes.

Food chemistry investigations include

• Analyze energy drinks through fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Identify carotenoids in vegetables.
• Analyze soft drinks to identify different food dyes.
• Determine the amount of iron in cereal. 

Get Started with a Free Food ChemistryExperiment!

Introduce your students to food chemistry by diving into the science behind baking! Investigate the question “What’s the difference between baking soda and baking powder?” by examining chemicals in different pantry staples, from baking soda to cream of tartar using the Go Direct^® pH Sensor and Go Direct CO₂ Gas Sensor.

Measure the Energy Content of Foods

The Go Direct Temperature Probe is a rugged, general‑purpose sensor that students can use to monitor temperature. 

Unlike a traditional thermometer, Go Direct Temperature allows students to collect real-time temperature measurements of a single instance or over a period of time. Its range and wireless capability make Go Direct Temperature the go‑to sensor for real‑world applications.

GDX-TMP $79

Food chemistry investigations include

• Determine the amount of energy in different types of food.
• Study the relationship between gas pressure and temperature in a pressure cooker.
• Investigate how temperature affects the solubility of CO₂ in soft drinks.

Investigate Household Acids and Bases

Explore pH without the inconvenience of wires, no more spilled solutions, or dangling wires.

The Go Direct pH Sensor is an important and versatile sensor for lab and field activities alike. It gives students the freedom to explore pH without the inconvenience of wires, spilled solutions, or dangling wires. Go Direct pH transmits live readings and captures data in real‑time.

GDX-PH $109

Food chemistry investigations include

• Investigate the chemical makeup of baking soda, baking powder, and cream of tartar
• Measure the pH of common beverages

Measure CO₂ Levels in Beverages and Food Products

Monitor changes in carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity easily with the Go Direct CO₂ Sensor.

This sensor includes built-in temperature compensation and humidity protection. A 250 mL Nalgene bottle is included for running controlled experiments with small plants and animals.

GDX-CO2 $229

Food chemistry investigations include

• Investigate the chemical makeup of baking soda, baking powder, and cream of tartar.
• Explore what makes soft drinks fizzy.
• Determine the rate of fermentation by yeast while metabolizing different sugars

Visualize the Optical Rotation of Sugars, Amino Acids, and Proteins

Simple-to-use polarimeter and includes free downloadable experiments.

The Go Direct Polarimeter provides a visual representation of chirality by measuring the optical rotation of optical isomers such as sugars, amino acids, and proteins. This Polarimeter is simple to use, includes free, downloadable experiments, and is supported by the free Vernier Instrumental Analysis^® app.

Its unique vertical layout and lack of custom glassware make this polarimeter very student friendly. In addition, the analyzer is automatically rotated by an internal motor giving students more time to understand experiments such as the reaction kinetics of HCl and sucrose.

GDX-POL $545

Food chemistry investigations include

• Use polarimetry to identify sugar and sweeteners in beverages.
• Explore what makes soft drinks fizzy.
• Determine the rate of fermentation by yeast while metabolizing different sugars.

Food Chemistry Experiments Lab Book

Food Chemistry Experiments includes 14 experiments that use food as a means to explore crucial chemistry concepts.

These experiments use Vernier sensors such as spectrophotometers, temperature probes, and CO₂ gas sensors to investigate complex questions involving food. Examine carotenoids in vegetables, analyze iron quantities in cereal, and more!

HSB-FOOD-E $35

HSB-FOOD $45

Demystifying Polarimetry with Common
Food Chemistry Experiments

Using polarimetry to teach stereochemistry doesn't have to be a mystery.

In this video, Vernier chemistry experts Dr. Melissa Hill and Nüs Hisim demonstrate how to identify sugars and sweeteners in various beverages using the Go Direct Temperature Probe.