Many recipes call for the use of aluminum foil, especially for roasts, but for everything to turn out well, you must know how to use it.
Aluminum foil is quite common in Brazilian kitchens. According to historical sources, this household item was invented in 1910, in Switzerland, and was soon commercialized. Years ago, researchers at the “Dr. Lauber, Neher & Cie.” They were looking for a way to make the metal foil thick enough to be sold with wrapping. The year following its invention, some chocolate factories began using the material to wrap their bars. But the question remains: how to use aluminum foil?
From the beginning, this metallic sheet had the same characteristics as it does today, one side of the paper is shiny and the other is matte. Currently, aluminum foil is used in everyday domestic routines, mainly in preparing food. An example of the usefulness of this material is roasted meats, potatoes and cakes, which need to be placed in the oven.
What are the uses of aluminum foil?
Sometimes, with such common objects, we don’t know their functionalities, we just reflect what we learned or what the recipe says. However, aluminum foil is used in preparations because it has excellent characteristics, such as: preserving moisture and optimizing cooking time. In turn, you need to know how to use aluminum foil, that is, if you use the wrong side to make a recipe, the dish may not turn out as expected.
Okay, but which is the right side, anyway?
Even though it is very common to use the matte side to wrap food, the correct one is the shiny one (now you know how to use aluminum foil!). That’s right, because this side of the paper is non-stick, it prevents food from sticking and burning. But don’t think he’s brilliant for nothing, negative. The reflections in this part help to conduct heat waves, which in turn reduces the cooking time of food.
When not to use the shiny side
As the popular saying would say, every rule has exceptions, and that, in this case, is frozen foods. If your intention is to preserve some food in the refrigerator next to aluminum foil, make sure to keep the frosted part inside. In principle it’s the same, the shiny part will reflect heat and help maintain the ideal temperature of the food.
Is it dangerous to use aluminum foil?
Some scholars and researchers claim that if this material is exposed to high temperatures, some of the metal can be transferred to the food. Just like this dish, I have certain types of acid and seasonings. In terms of health, ingesting aluminum is not good for the body, especially the stomach and intestines.
Currently, there are some companies that offer covers, like lids, to be used in place of metal foil. If you don’t want to risk it, it’s worth researching and investing in one of these.
Now that you know how to use aluminum foil correctly, finally, find out how to clean the refrigerator and cooktop.
Sources: Tudo Gostoso, Gazeta do Povo and Blog Angeloni.
Images: Claudia, Distribuidora Talimpo, Daraz and Stock Food.
