Disha is on a mission to solve food mysteries, from why her uttapam spoiled to how we keep food fresh! This chapter follows her adventure, learning how food changes, how we preserve it, and how it helps our bodies stay healthy. Let’s join Disha and her notebook to crack these tasty cases!
Food Spoilage
Disha’s forgotten tiffin box sparks a mystery about why food goes bad. Let’s follow her clues to find out!
The Forgotten Tiffin Box
- Disha found her lunch box at school, forgotten since Friday, with uttapam inside.
- Opening it, she smelled a foul odour and saw colored patches on the uttapam.
- She wondered what happened to her favourite food, starting a mystery.
- Disha became Detective Disha, eager to investigate food spoilage.
- Fun example: Disha’s uttapam turned into a smelly puzzle waiting to be solved!
Mystery #1: What Made My Uttapam Spoil?
- Disha asked her Anna, Aditya about the colored patches on her uttapam.
- Anna explained they’re mould, caused by tiny living things called microbes.
- Microbes are so small you need a microscope to see them, changing food’s taste and smell.
- Some microbes help make curd, but others spoil food like uttapam.
Finding #1
- Microbes are everywhere—in soil, water, air, plants, animals, and inside us.
- They grow on food, forming mould patches like on Disha’s uttapam.
- A mould patch is a colony of thousands of microbes together.
Mystery #2: Why Do Some Foods Spoil Faster?
- Disha noticed bread left out for two days had mould, but Paati’s pickles lasted months.
- Anna said microbes need moisture, air, and warmth to grow quickly.
- Pickles stay fresh because oil keeps air away, slowing microbes.
Finding #2
- Keeping air and water away from microbes stops them from spoiling food.
- This helps food stay fresh for longer.
- Methods like using oil slow down microbe growth.
Food Preservation
Disha wants to know how to stop food from spoiling. Let’s see what she learns at home!
Mystery #3: How Do We Save Our Food from Spoilage?
- Disha looked around her house for ways to keep food fresh.
- Her family used different methods to stop microbes from spoiling food.
- Each method keeps food safe by stopping microbe growth.
Let Us Observe: Drying and Dehydration
- Disha saw Amma and Appa drying chillies in the sun on the balcony.
- Drying removes moisture from chillies, so they last a whole year.
- Without water, microbes can’t grow and spoil the food.
- Fun example: Drying chillies is like squeezing out water to keep microbes away!
Finding #3
- Drying food in the sun removes moisture, stopping microbes.
- This keeps food like chillies fresh for a long time.
- It’s a simple way to preserve food.
Let Us Observe: Pickling and Oiling
- Paati poured mustard oil into a jar of pickled green mangoes.
- Oil stops air from reaching the pickles, keeping them safe.
- This prevents microbes from growing and spoiling the food.
Finding #4
- Adding oil to pickles keeps air out, stopping microbe growth.
- This helps pickles stay fresh for months.
- It’s a traditional way to preserve food.
Let Us Observe: Refrigeration and Freezing
- Disha saw milk, vegetables, butter, and cake stored in the fridge.
- Appa said fridges make it too cold for microbes to grow fast.
- Cold temperatures slow down spoilage, keeping food fresh.
Finding #5
- Cold temperatures in fridges or freezers slow down microbes.
- This keeps food like milk and butter fresh longer.
- Butter needs a fridge, but ghee doesn’t due to how it’s made.
Finding #6
- Many methods preserve food, like using salt, sugar, or spices like pepper.
- Food factories use airtight cans and packaging to keep microbes out.
- These methods help food stay fresh for a long time.
How Are Idlis Made?
Disha loves idlis and wants to learn how they’re made. Let’s follow her discoveries!
Making Idlis
- Disha watched her Amma make idlis with fluffy batter.
- Microbes in the air help the idli batter rise and get soft.
- These good microbes make idlis light and tasty.
- Fun example: Idli batter rises like a fluffy cloud thanks to tiny microbe helpers!
Finding #7
- Microbes in the air help make idli batter fluffy.
- These good microbes work to make idlis soft and tasty.
- This process is part of how idlis are prepared at home.
Indigestion and Home Remedies
- Aditya Anna had an upset stomach after eating fair food.
- Curd or buttermilk has good microbes that help digestion.
- For bad stomach problems, you may need a doctor and medicines.
Finding #8
- Bad eating habits, like eating too fast, can cause indigestion.
- Eating right helps keep your stomach healthy.
- Good microbes in curd help your body feel good.
My Food, My Pride
Disha learns that food connects to family traditions and joy. Let’s check her diary!
A Visit to the Vegetable Market
- Disha went with Thatha to the vegetable market for fresh fruits and veggies.
- Thatha carefully checked each fruit and vegetable before buying.
- The market was full of colours and fresh smells.
The Joy of Eating Seasonal Fruits
- Appa brought home lychees, a seasonal fruit Disha loves.
- Seasonal fruits like lychees and mangoes taste best when fresh.
- Waiting for them makes eating them more special.
- Fun example: Seasonal fruits are like special treats that arrive at just the right time!
Finding #9
- Fruits taste best in their season, like lychees in the rains.
- Local fruits like mangoes are fresh because they don’t travel far.
- Waiting for seasonal fruits makes them extra special.
Chew Right!
Disha investigates what happens to food in her mouth. Let’s explore with her!
Investigation: What Happens to Food Inside Your Mouth?
- Disha looked in the mirror, opening her mouth to see what happens to food.
- Chewing breaks food into smaller pieces for digestion.
- Saliva comes out when you chew, helping food break down.
Teeth and Chewing
Disha learned from Anna that our teeth have special jobs for chewing food. Let’s see what Anna said
- Anna said we have incisors to cut, canines to tear, premolars to crush, and molars to grind.
- Chewing well releases saliva, which helps digest food.
- Different teeth do different jobs to prepare food.
Finding #10
- Chewing properly breaks down food and releases saliva.
- Saliva helps start digestion right in your mouth.
- Good chewing makes food easier for your stomach.
Finding #11
- Different teeth have different uses: cutting, tearing, crushing, and grinding.
- Each tooth type helps break food into tiny bits.
- This makes eating and digesting easier.
Oral Hygiene
Disha learns that keeping her mouth clean is important. Let’s see her findings!
Finding #12
- Disha had a toothache and visited the dentist, who found a cavity.
- The dentist advised rinsing after eating and brushing regularly.
- Eating fewer sweets and getting check-ups keeps teeth healthy.
- Fun example: Brushing is like giving your teeth a daily shine to stay strong!
The Danger of Choking
Disha’s Amma warns her about eating too fast. Let’s learn why!
Finding #13
- Gulping food can make you choke, which is dangerous.
- Chewing food slowly and carefully keeps you safe.
- Eating slowly helps you enjoy food and avoid trouble.
Food in Our Body
Disha solves the final food mystery about how food works in our bodies!
Final Discovery
- Some microbes spoil food, while others help make idlis and curd.
- Good microbes in curd help digest food in our stomachs.
- Eating right, preserving food, and chewing well keep us healthy with good microbes.