Book 27, Question 136
How would a detective identify a mystery powder safely?
Detectives never taste or sniff unknown powders.
With a grown-up, you can test known kitchen powders, such as salt, sugar, baking soda, flour, and cornstarch. Look at the grains under a magnifier. Feel how they pinch or squeak. See whether they dissolve in water. Baking soda fizzes with vinegar. Comparing results with a chart can help you tell them apart without tasting.