April 11, 2005

Pudding Results

I wrote here and here about an experiment in making chocolate pudding. The results are in.

I thought that the outcome would be that the Instant Pudding tasted better, more chocolaty... and that the stove-top pudding would be less chocolaty, but have a better texture. Close, but not quite.

I admit that I like both. I wouldn't turn either down. But the cooked pudding is my clear favorite. I prefer the texture: smoother, creamier... and the chocolate flavor was real nice too. Not quite as sweet as the Instant, but very nice. So cooked is the winner.

Another plus to the cooked pudding was a Mr. Science moment (actually, these days, it's an Alton Brown moment).

Last time I made this stuff was as a kid. I was impatient to have it done. I would set the heat too high, and not stir it enough. Invariably it would burn. But this time I was more patient, and I was enjoying the process. I knew that the pudding would get thicker as I stirred. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that the thickening happens pretty suddenly. It goes from thin/milky, to thick/creamy in just a few seconds. It's a state change! Physics in action.

Isn't cooking cool?!

Posted by jackhodgson at April 11, 2005 09:51 AM