The Science of the Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This week Reactions is taking a look at some cheesy chemistry in the form of a sandwich. We're giving you some science based tips on how to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. Consider this a chemical ode to one of the finest comfort foods ever created, the grilled cheese sandwich. Cheese making is an incredibly complex chemical process, and at a certain point, you may have learned the hard way that some cheeses simply don't make the grill grade. Why is it that some cheeses melt perfectly while others crumble into a nasty, oily mess? Today we're going answer that question for you, and while we're at it, we wanted to offer you some scientific advice on how to optimize your ingredients for the perfect grilled cheese experience.

Go check out "The Kitchen As Laboratory," a fantastic book about science and cooking, which inspired this episode: http://www.amazon.com/The-Kitchen-Laboratory-Reflections-Perspectives/dp/0231153449


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Music:
Pure Natural - Touch me
Sam Leopard - Soul

Writer/Producer:
Kirk Zamieroski

Executive Producer:
Adam Dylewski

Scientific consultants:
Jennifer Kimmel, Ph.D.
Darcy Gentleman, Ph.D.
Sophia Cai

Sources:
The Kitchen as Laboratory - http://www.amazon.com/The-Kitchen-Laboratory-Reflections-Perspectives/dp/0231153449

On Milk Proteins - http://www.milkfacts.info/Milk%20Composition/Protein.htm

Texture of Cheese - http://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(87)80207-2/abstract

On Processed, "American" Cheese - https://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/stuff/7806sci2.html

FDA on standards on American Cheese - https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/pcd5.pdf

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S02E53 - How to Survive a Real-Life "Fallout"