Jimmy's Food Factory

In the first programme Jimmy makes breakfast from scratch. Why is the most nutritious part of the corn removed from cornflakes? Why do some cereal manufacturers add iron and other vitamins? If instant coffee isn't made by grinding up coffee beans, how is it made?

In this programme Jimmy tries to copy some of the methods food companies use to preserve food to make it safe to eat weeks, months or even years after it is produced. Why do peas have to be frozen within hours of picking and why is factory freezing quicker than home freezing? Jimmy also attempts to suck all the water out of strawberries so they can be added to a box of breakfast cereal.

In this programme Jimmy investigates the science behind our favourite snack foods. Can you describe the flavour of fizzy cola? Experts say cola's flavour includes lavender and coriander as well as orange, lime and lemon. After a supermarket taste test, Jimmy attempts to mix his own cola syrup and inject some fizz. He also tries to work out how to make potato into hoops, twirls and other shaped snacks.

Jimmy uncovers the tricks and techniques that food producers use to ensure we can enjoy favourite foods whenever we want. In the barn, Jimmy makes a first attempt at turning some of his own farmed pork into square sandwich ham. He also tries to copy the trick that banana suppliers use to artificially ripen green imported bananas so they are ready for the supermarket.