Milk: Best drink to reduce burn from chili peppers

June 25, 2019

People who order their Buffalo wings especially spicy and sometimes find them to be too "hot," should choose milk to reduce the burn, according to Penn State researchers, who also suggest it does not matter if it is whole or skim.

Vanilla makes milk beverages seem sweeter

June 20, 2019

Adding vanilla to sweetened milk makes consumers think the beverage is sweeter, allowing the amount of added sugar to be reduced, according to Penn State researchers, who will use the concept to develop a reduced-sugar chocolate milk for the National School Lunch Program.

Sensing food textures is a matter of pressure

June 13, 2019

Food's texture affects whether it is eaten, liked or rejected, according to Penn State researchers, who say some people are better at detecting even minor differences in consistency because their tongues can perceive particle sizes.

Visiting Zamorano University students embrace Penn State experience

June 3, 2019

Students from Zamorano University in Honduras experienced a taste of American culture and college life by studying at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences during the spring 2019 semester.

Penn State Dairy Products Evaluation Team places in national contest

April 26, 2019

The Dairy Products Evaluation Team in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences won several awards during the National Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Competition held April 17 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Food scientist Kovac receives young investigator award

April 25, 2019

Jasna Kovac, assistant professor of food science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, recently was named recipient of the Institut Merieux Young Investigator Award in Antimicrobial Resistance from the International Association for Food Protection.

Improving food safety knowledge, practices in Africa is focus of research

April 2, 2019

Improving food safety knowledge and practices in Africa is the focus of research conducted by Catherine Cutter, professor of food science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Kaylegian Recognized by Gamma Sigma Delta Chapter for Extension Excellence

April 2, 2019

Dr. Kerry Kaylegian was recognized for Extension Excellence by Gamma Sigma Delta chapter on March 28, 2019 during the “Celebration of Excellence Event” held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Penn State Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta.

Building starch backbones for lab-grown meat using Lego pieces

March 26, 2019

A new technique to spin starch fibers using Lego pieces could have future applications for lab-grown "clean" meat, according to a team of food scientists from Penn State and the University of Alabama.

Penn State food science senior has found the ingredients for success

March 19, 2019

Brianna Elicker, of York, a senior majoring in food science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has had a passion for food and agriculture from an early age.

Avocado seed extract shows promise as anti-inflammatory compound

March 12, 2019

An extract from the seeds of avocados exhibited anti-inflammatory properties in a laboratory study, according to Penn State researchers, and it represents a potential source for novel anti-inflammatory compounds that could be developed as a functional food ingredient or pharmaceuticals.

Sensory tests suggest 'liking' wines made with native grapes a learned response

March 6, 2019

Consumer preference or aversion to wines made from native grapes — such as Concord, Niagara and Catawba, which are grown in North America — may depend on early exposure to the fruits' sweet, ultra "grapey" taste and aroma, according to researchers who conducted sensory tests with wine drinkers in Pennsylvania and California.

More scrutiny needed for less-deadly foodborne bacteria

February 13, 2019

Employing advanced genetic-tracing techniques and sharing the data produced in real time could limit the spread of bacteria — Bacillus cereus — which cause foodborne illness, according to researchers who implemented whole-genome sequencing of a pathogen-outbreak investigation.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty members honored for teaching excellence

January 25, 2019

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has recognized six faculty members for outstanding teaching in 2018.

Wake up and smell the coffee: Research shows freezing beans can preserve aroma

January 15, 2019

As a food science major in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Andrew Cotter conducted research on the storage of coffee beans. He showed that storing roasted coffee beans in the freezer — a popular preservation method — can help preserve the aroma of certain varieties of beans.

A 'bran' new way to preserve healthy food with natural ingredients

January 3, 2019

A natural antioxidant found in grain bran could preserve food longer and replace synthetic antioxidants currently used by the food industry, according to researchers at Penn State.

Penn State Berkey Creamery intern plays important role in product development

December 19, 2018

Abigail Rule, a senior majoring in food science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has gotten the inside scoop on product development, thanks to an internship with Penn State's Berkey Creamery.

Biodegradable, edible film kills pathogens on seafood

December 17, 2018

A biodegradable, edible film made with plant starch and antimicrobial compounds may control the growth of foodborne pathogens on seafood, according to a group of international researchers.

Livestock producers, consumers may be affected by cell-cultured meat regulations

December 11, 2018

According to a team of Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences livestock experts and food scientists focused on cellular agriculture, the progress of this technology requires thorough evaluation and discussion to address the multitude of questions surrounding it.

Your turkey doesn't need a shower: No-nos when it comes to holiday bird prep

November 21, 2018

Talking (Thanksgiving) turkey: Some methods of handling and cooking turkey, which have been passed down from generation to generation, may be setting the table for foodborne illness, according to a food safety specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Color coded — matching taste with color

November 15, 2018

Color can impact the taste of food, and our experiences and expectations can affect how we taste food, according to Penn State researchers, who suggest this may have implications for how food and beverage industries should market their products.

Penn State food safety experts to help make Ethiopian dairy food supply safer

November 14, 2018

Food safety specialists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will collaborate with scientists at Addis Ababa University and Kansas State University in Ethiopia on a project to improvethe safety and quality of Ethiopian dairy foods.

Farmers market vendors need training to improve food-safety practices

November 1, 2018

Many vendors at farmers markets take inadequate precautions to prevent the spread of foodborne illness, and they should be trained to reduce food-safety risks, according to Penn State researchers who completed the final phase of an innovative five-year study.

College of Agricultural Sciences selected as host site for Mandela Fellows

October 25, 2018

Boubou Sangho and Gladys Freeman, recipients of the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, spent six weeks of professional development at Penn State's University Park campus in August and September.

Internship at McCormick & Co. 'spices up' student's experience

October 10, 2018

Maya Alcalá, a student in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, is on her way to becoming a seasoned professional thanks to a summer internship with McCormick & Co.

Chewing gum may be effective for delivering vitamins

October 9, 2018

Nearly 15 percent of all chewing gum varieties sold promise to provide health-enhancing supplements to users, so Penn State researchers studied whether two vitamin-supplemented products were effective at delivering vitamins to the body. Their results validate the concept of gum as an effective delivery system for at least some vitamins.

Penn State Berkey Creamery celebrates 'White Out' with new flavor

September 24, 2018

Penn State Berkey Creamery's new ice cream flavor will have football fans celebrating even more when Penn State hosts Ohio State on Sept. 29. "White Out" — a sweet blend of popcorn-flavored ice cream and white chocolate chips — is now available for scooping at the Creamery.

Fall Research Unplugged speaker series to offer weekly talks starting Oct. 4

September 7, 2018

Research Unplugged, the popular series of stimulating conversation with Penn State researchers, is presented in collaboration with Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations and will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. each Thursday in October in Schlow Library’s Downsbrough Community Room.

College of Agricultural Sciences names Harbaugh Faculty Scholars

August 27, 2018

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has awarded funding to three individuals and two teams to support the development of innovative curricula under the college's Harbaugh Faculty Scholars program.

Extension dairy specialist honored by international guild for cheese activism

August 21, 2018

Kerry Kaylegian, assistant research professor of dairy foods and extension specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, was inducted into the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers New World Chapter on July 28 in a ceremony held in association with the American Cheese Society's annual meeting in Pittsburgh.