National Chemistry Week: The Hidden Life of Spices
Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 11am-2pm EDT
Science History Institute
315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia
PA
19106
Celebrate the spice of life during the American Chemical Society’s National Chemistry Week: The Hidden Life of Spices!
During this family-friendly event, you’ll have a chance to
- find out how spices get their flavors from their chemical makeup
- see historic recipe books
- learn about food adulteration
- sample some black pepper brown sugar cookies adapted from a recipe from Martha Washington’s A Booke of Cookery and baked by Shane Confectionery
- learn about the making of spices and the spice industry with Penzeys Spices and take home some freebies
- talk to a spice scientist from the Society of Flavor Chemists to learn how spices are developed
Admission is free and reservations are not required.
More events
Forensics Highlights Tour
Fans of murder mysteries and true crime are invited to join our museum educators to explore the science behind deductions.
Fireworks Tour
Join our museum educators for a drop-in tour of our special exhibition on the fascinating history and science of pyrotechnics.
Othmer Library Tour
Curious about the other half of the Science History Institute? Step into the Othmer Library of Chemical History!