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.
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Othmer Library Tour
Curious about the other half of the Science History Institute? Step into the Othmer Library of Chemical History!
Film Screening: Passfire
This original documentary by Veverka Bros. explores the world’s most spectacular pyrotechnics, the artisans who create them, and the rich cultural traditions they represent.
Stories of Science: Revolutionary Science
Join us in our museum EVERY SATURDAY for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!