Talking about Food and Drinks: English Vocabulary List

a white powder that is used in baking products in order to make them rise and light

"Add baking powder to the flour."

"Baking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent that produces carbon dioxide gas when mixed with liquid"

a substance used to add sweetness to food or beverages

"She uses an artificial sweetener in her coffee instead of regular sugar."

"A sweetener is any substance added to food or drink to give it a sweet taste"

a type of fungus capable of converting sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide, used in making alcoholic drinks and bread swell

"Yeast makes the bread rise."

"Yeast is a microscopic single-celled fungus that ferments sugars to produce carbon dioxide"

a baked good made from dough or batter, often sweetened or filled with ingredients like fruit, nuts, or chocolate

"The pastry was flaky and sweet."

"The flaky pastry was filled with sweet apples and cinnamon, making it a delicious dessert."

a mixture of proteins found in wheat and other cereal grains, responsible for the elastic texture of dough

"Bread contains gluten which some people cannot eat."

"People with celiac disease must avoid eating gluten which is found in wheat barley and rye."

a substance that consists of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon that provide heat and energy for the body, found in foods such as bread, pasta, fruits, etc.

"Bread and pasta are full of carbohydrate"

"Athletes often eat foods high in carbohydrate before competitions to fuel their performance and endurance."

an extra amount of food that is served with the main course, such as salad

"Rice is a common side dish."

"A side dish is a smaller portion of food served alongside the main course of a meal"

a meal eaten in the evening, typically lighter than dinner and often the last meal of the day

"We had supper at seven o'clock."

"Supper is an evening meal that many families share together at the end of a long day."

a small restaurant that is not expensive

"The bistro serves French food."

"A bistro is a small restaurant where you can enjoy affordable yet delicious meals with friends."

(of food or a diet) having a low or lower amount of fat

"This yogurt is low-fat."

"She bought low-fat yogurt for breakfast because she was trying to reduce her calorie intake and lose weight before her summer vacation."

(of food) altered in some way from its original state through various methods such as canning, freezing, or adding preservatives

"He eats processed food."

"Processed foods often contain high levels of salt and sugar which can be harmful to your health."

(of food) having been left on heat for too long, resulting in a loss of moisture, flavor, and tenderness

"The chicken is overcooked."

"The steak was overcooked and dry so the customer sent it back to the kitchen and ordered pasta instead."

not cooked sufficiently, resulting in a raw or partially cooked state

"The rice is undercooked."

"The chicken was undercooked and still pink inside so nobody ate it because they were afraid of getting sick."

(of food, particularly cake and bread) not fresh anymore, due to exposure to air or prolonged storage

"The bread is stale."

"The bread was stale and hard so we could not make sandwiches and had to throw it away."

(of food) likely to cause one to gain weight

"Cake is fattening."

"Cheesecake is delicious but very fattening so she only eats it on special occasions like birthdays and holidays."

(of food) containing starch in large amounts

"Potatoes are starchy."

"Potatoes and rice are starchy foods that provide energy but eating too much of them can lead to weight gain."

juicy and full of flavor

"The steak is succulent."

"The waiter served a succulent piece of grilled salmon with roasted vegetables and a lemon butter sauce on the side."

a type of seasoning or sauce that is used to add flavor to food

"Mustard is a condiment."

"She added a dollop of spicy mustard, her favorite condiment, to the hot dog."