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 Scientist finds the 'right' way to cut Christmas cake

 

 

Christmas  cake is a tradition that dates back centuries, for people who celebrate the festive season. The vast majority of those who enjoy a slice of their favourite seasonal treat are unaware that there is a science behind its slicing. Dr Chris Budd, a professor of applied mathematics and geometry at two UK universities, tested several hypotheses on the optimal way to cut a Christmas cake into slices. He focused on how to dissect the cake while leaving the exposed insides as moist as possible. His solution was to cut the cake across the middle, leaving two semicircles, then cut slices and push the remaining halves together. He said: "It works." However, perhaps he would admit that it isn't exactly rocket science.

 

According to Wikipedia, Christmas cake is an English tradition that began as plum porridge. The  plums later gave way to raisins, sultanas, orange rind and other dried fruit. The fruit is often soaked in rum or brandy. It is quite common for the fruity loaf part of the cake to be covered in a layer of marzipan, and then the top and sides to be coated in icing. The icing is a hardened, white sugar coating that can be over a centimetre thick. The top of the cake is usually decorated with an array of Christmassy symbols like fir trees or snowmen and women. Christmas cakes vary around the world. In Sri Lanka, they are full of treacle and spices. In Japan, they are simple sponge cakes with whipped cream and strawberries.

 

 

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Chat

Talk about these words from the article.  

tradition / centuries / Christmas cake / majority / geometry / slice / / rocket science plum / raisins / fruit / common / icing / decorated / snowmen / spices / strawberries 

 

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True / False

a) The article says Christmas cake is thousands of years old.  T / F

b) A professor of geometry tested the best ways to cut a cake.  T / F

c) A professor decided it was best to cut the cake into quarters.  T / F

d) The article says Christmas cake science is like rocket science.  T / F

e) Christmas cake started life in England as a plum porridge.  T / F

f) The fruit used in Christmas cakes is often soaked in brandy.  T / F

g) Christmas cakes often have a layer of icing on them a centimetre thick.  T / F

h) Japanese Christmas cakes contain a lot of treacle.  T / F 

 

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Discussion

1) What do you think of Christmas?

2) How do people celebrate Christmas in your country?

3) What is the meaning of Christmas?

4) What is your favourite seasonal food?

5) What do you think of festive cakes?

6) Is it important to know the science behind slicing cakes?

7) What do you think of the professor's solution?

8) What does "It isn't exactly rocket science" mean?