the top of the soup bowl

August 27, 2006 3:53 PM

At buffet type resaurants, why does the top of soup become slightly harder and usually a darker color? Is it good for you or bad for you?
posted by mrkohrea to food & drink (7 comments total)

i think it's because the water is evaporating off the top of the soup, so the top layer gets kinda condensed.
posted by jessicak at 4:03 PM on August 27, 2006

What, the skin? No, cannot imagine it could be bad for you.
posted by ed\26h at 4:08 PM on August 27, 2006

it's no better or worse for you than the soup.
posted by owhydididoit at 4:08 PM on August 27, 2006

It doesn't taste that great, but it won't hurt you. You can just dip the ladle past it. Or tell the buffet owners to think of investing in some metal covers.
posted by Orrorin at 4:17 PM on August 27, 2006

Just mix it up with the rest of the soup and you won't be able to tell the difference. This isn't something special to a buffet—if you cook some soup in a microwave oven the same thing will happen.
posted by grouse at 4:22 PM on August 27, 2006

1. Evaporation.
2. Neither.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:27 PM on August 27, 2006

Welcome to our planet. This often happens here. People call it the 'skin'. It will not hurt you. If you have any other questions about Earth, feel free to email me.
posted by reklaw at 7:17 AM on August 28, 2006