How much alcohol is removed by cooking? Not so much!

Ledzeptt

Well-Known Member
Messages
591
Type of diabetes
Type 3c
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Liquorice and aniseed (especially the tracer I have to drink in hospital before a CT scan - yuk!)
If like me, you're not allowed alcohol, to protect your pancreas, but you want the flavour of wine or whatever in your cooking, particularly at Christmas, you may have felt safe that the alcohol would be removed during cooking. You may even flame your brandy flamboyantly over the Christmas pudding!

I wasn't so sure this would remove the alcohol, so I want to share my investigations.

This article (and many similar) suggests it is a myth that all alcohol is "burnt" or evaporated away: https://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/AlcoholEvap.htm

I believe the following is the best article as it's supported by evidence from the US Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Data Laboratory: http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/659/cooking-away-alcohol

In summary, it states when baked/simmered for the following durations, alcohol stirred into a mixture reduces to:
15 minutes - 40%
30 minutes - 35%
1 hour - 25%
1.5 hours - 20%
2 hours - 10%
2.5 hours - 5%
Other cooking methods were considered: flaming only reduces the alcohol to 75%.

These figures were quoted in a Saga article (unattributed): https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/health-wellbeing/diet-nutrition/nutrition/alcohol-myth-buster

However you decide to cook, have a merry Christmas!
 

JRW

Well-Known Member
Messages
275
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I am 3.5c but enjoy a lot of alcohol, everything in moderation is what I've been told.
 

Ledzeptt

Well-Known Member
Messages
591
Type of diabetes
Type 3c
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Liquorice and aniseed (especially the tracer I have to drink in hospital before a CT scan - yuk!)
Hi @JRW

I pleased that works for you.

Have one for me, cheers!