1. What’s the solution ? 

(a) The papads have become soft and moist.

Ans: Papads which have been soft and moist should be kept in the sun for drying. Drying method involves removal of water content moisture from the foodstuffs. 

(b) Fruits like mangoes, amlas, guavas and vegetables like peas, onions, tomatoes, fenugreek are needed all year round. They are available in plenty only in certain seasons.

Ans: To prevent large quantities of fruit and vegetables from getting spoiled and to enjoy them all year round, different methods of food preservation are used. By drying, cooling, and placing them in airtight containers to prevent the microorganisms from growing, as per the requirements, we can preserve fruits and vegetables and fulfill our requirements for the whole year.

2. Use your brain power !

Semolina (shevaya) do not get spoiled for a very long time. But kheer made from them spoils easily. Why is this so ?

Ans: Semolina (shevaya) is made by drying them in the sun. Hence, they do not have moisture in them and can be stored for a long time as microorganisms are unable to grow in them. But kheer is made using milk. Milk can spoil soon. Therefore, kheer made from semolina spoils quickly.

3. Find and correct the wrong statements. 

(a) When something is boiled, the micro-organisms in it are destroyed. 

Ans: Correct

(b) Our food does not get spoiled when micro-organisms begin to grow in it. 

Ans: Incorrect

(c) Foodstuffs dried in summer cannot be used for the rest of the year.

Ans: Incorrect 

(d) Foodstuffs get warmth when put in a fridge. 

Ans: Incorrect

4. Answer the following questions. 

(a) What are the different methods of preserving food ? 

Ans: Drying, cooling, boiling and canning foodstuffs as also adding preservatives to them are the different methods of preserving food.

(b) Why do we avoid eating food that has got spoiled ? 

Ans: We should avoid eating spoiled food as it can cause a stomachache, diarrhoea, vomiting, etc. The nutrition value of such foods is also reduced. Sometimes, it can even threaten life.

(c) Why do we make jams from fruits ? 

Ans: There are plenty of fruits and vegetables available only in certain seasons. So in order to prevent them from spoiling, if pickles, jams, papads, etc. are made in the right season, they can be enjoyed for the whole year.

(d) What are preservatives ?

Ans: Certain substances are added to foodstuffs to preserve them for a long time. They are called preservatives. Some examples of preservatives are sugar, salt, asafoetida (hing), mustard, oil and vinegar.

(e) Find out the names of the different spices. Also find out which part of their plant they are.

Ans: 

(1) Cinnamon is obtained from the bark.

(2) Ginger is obtained from the ginger root.

(3) Cumin is obtained from a fruit.

(4) Peppercorns are derived from berries.

(5) Nigella is extracted from the seed.

(6) Clove is a flowerbud of a tree.