If you have ever seen cocktails crafted into ice spheres, transparent pasta, or caviar composed of olive oil, then you have seen molecular gastronomy cooking in action. This new style of cooking brings science and food together to transform food into a work of art, and it’s making big waves in Puerto Rico.
Molecular gastronomy is technically the study of the chemical reactions that happen during the cooking process, but it is now regularly used to describe a type of cooking style in which chefs use chemistry to bring new life to their menu items. Molecular gastronomy is essentially a science lab transfused with a kitchen, and the result is pure magic.
Even though molecular gastronomy may be unfamiliar, there are some other more common names for the same type of cooking. These terms include: modern cuisine, experimental cuisine, modernist cuisine, and avant-garde cuisine. Many chefs prefer using these terms because it makes the style of cooking sound more accessible. Modern chefs spend countless hours researching the reactions that take place by altering pressures, temperatures, and other conditions that can have a dramatic impact on the end result. Although molecular gastronomy is about bringing the appearance of food to new heights, taste always remains a priority.
While molecular gastronomy sounds like a science experiment, it is still food safe. While the modern chef’s kitchen may be stocked with liquid nitrogen, syringes, PH meters, and edible chemicals with complex names, rest assured that any additives used are all of a natural origin. The science equipment is just necessary for the proper processes to be used to create the masterpieces presented to you.
Through endless experimentation, chefs worldwide are coming up with never-before-seen dishes that are truly inspiring. From spherical ravioli and olive oil spirals to faux caviar and crab ice cream, molecular gastronomy is taking the luxury lifestyle in Puerto Rico to an entirely unprecedented level.In Puerto Rico, we are lucky to have incredible dining options, with internationally renowned chefs. These are just three of the restaurants that intertwine Puerto Rican cuisine with molecular gastronomy:
If you want to see firsthand just how inspiring this modern cooking can be, make sure to visit one these restaurants, both of which are within 25 miles of our Puerto Rico beachfront condos at Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club, home of the St. Regis. Or check with our concierge for even more recommendations.
