Everyone loves food, but how much do you know about the science behind many foods? Here are some fun scientific food questions.
大家都喜歡吃東西，可是我們對於許多食物背後的科學又了解多少呢？以下有一些關於食物的有趣科學問題。
Why does airline food taste so bad?
為什麼飛機餐那麼難吃？
If you travel by plane, you may find that a large amount of airline food is not so tasty. You might think airlines want to keep costs down, so they provide cheap food and drinks. Actually, there are other reasons. The low pressure and dry air inside an airplane make your taste buds less sensitive. Even the noise can change the way food tastes. It can make sweet things less sweet and salty foods less salty.
要是你搭乘飛機，可能會發覺許多飛機餐的味道不怎麼樣。你可能認為航空公司想降低成本，所以提供廉價餐飲。事實上，高空飲食難吃還另有原因。機艙內的低氣壓和乾燥空氣會使你的味蕾變得遲鈍。甚至連噪音都會改變食物的味道。讓甜的東西比較不甜，而鹹的東西比較不鹹。
Is it true that bananas are radioactive?
香蕉真的有放射性嗎？
Yes, it is, but not dangerously so. According to scientists, bananas contain potassium. When potassium decays, it becomes a little radioactive. Potassium, however, is necessary for good health, and you would have to eat a huge number of bananas to have a dangerous amount of it. In fact, it won't match the natural radiation levels in your body unless you eat 10 million bananas. Don't worry, just keep on enjoying this healthy fruit.
是真的，但不具危險性。科學家表示，香蕉含鉀。而鉀在衰退時帶有輕微輻射性。然而鉀是維持健康的必要元素，要達到危險的量必須吃非常大量的香蕉。事實上，除非你吃上一千萬根香蕉，才會達到自然輻射量。別擔心，繼續享受這種健康的水果吧。
Why are jelly beans so shiny?
為什麼豆豆糖這麼光亮？
The shine on the surfaces of jelly beans, some apples, and other things is caused by shellac. Shellac is processed from the bodily excretions of an insect which is found in the forests of Thailand. In addition to a food additive, shellac is used as a wood finishing product and to make medicines shiny. In other words, you've probably eaten insect waste many times before.
豆豆糖還有一些蘋果以及其他東西表面的光澤是蟲膠所致。蟲膠是用泰國森林裡的一種昆蟲排泄物加工而成。除了作為食品添加物外，蟲膠也被用來當作給木頭上光的產品和使藥物光亮。換句話說，你以前可能吃過很多次昆蟲排泄物呢。
How long does honey last?
蜂蜜可以保存多久？
The simple answer is, forever. Honey is made with the purpose of being stored. Those clever bees have created a food source that will last a long time. Honey is loaded with sugar and kills any bacteria that find their way into it by drying them out. No doubt you have seen a jar of honey that has crystallized into a solid mass. It's still OK to eat, though. Put the jar into a pan of hot water and the honey will return to its normal state.
簡單來說就是永遠。蜂蜜製作的目的就是要儲存。聰明的蜜蜂創造出一種可以長久保存的食物來源。蜂蜜富有糖分，會使進入蜂蜜中的細菌脫水死亡。想必你一定曾看過結晶成固態的蜂蜜。不過那還是可以吃的。只要把整罐蜂蜜放到一鍋熱水中，就會還原到正常的狀態了。
You don't have to be a scientist to enjoy good food, of course. For the sake of your health and happiness, however, it's helpful to learn more about food so that you can add some spice (and sugar, and sauce) to your life.
當然，你不必是個科學家才能享受美食。可是為了你的健康和幸福，多學一些食物相關知識是有好處的，這樣也可以為你的生活添加滋味（還有糖和醬料）。
