A few weeks ago, our young scientists in P5/6 set out to answer a big question: How did sailors keep food fresh on Tudor ships?
They tested five foods in two ways: one in a plain zip-lock bag, and one in a bag filled with salt. Predictions were made… and now the results are in!
What did they discover?
Salt worked for most foods – but not all!
Sugar makes food spoil faster (germs love sugar!).
Fat can help food last longer by slowing water loss.
Dry foods like biscuits last the longest because germs need water to survive.
Their conclusion? Salt was a smart choice for Tudor sailors, but dry foods were the real winners for long journeys!
