How much alcohol will remain in a food after baking or simmering?Multiple choice question.50-75%50-100%5-40%

Understanding Alcohol Retention in Cooking

When alcohol is used in cooking, its retention depends on the cooking method, temperature, and duration. Baking and simmering specifically impact how much alcohol remains in food.

1. Alcohol Evaporation: Alcohol evaporates at a lower temperature than water. The rate at which it evaporates can vary based on a few factors.

2. General Guidelines:

   • When food is cooked briefly (a few minutes), about 75% of the alcohol may remain.
   • Cooking for about 30 minutes can reduce alcohol content to around 35-40%.
   • Cooking for a longer period (over 2 hours) may reduce alcohol content significantly, but some retention is still present.

Analyzing Options:

1. 50-75%: This option seems plausible for foods baked or simmered for shorter durations.
2. 50-100%: This option suggests that no alcohol is evaporated, which is highly unlikely in the cooking process.
3. 5-40%: This could apply if cooked for an extended time, though 5% seems too low.

Final Answer

Based on the general understanding of alcohol retention during cooking, the best answer is 50-75%.