All Jane Austen articles

  • Arrowroot crop in Bermuda
    Podcast

    Starch

    2019-04-19T09:31:00Z

    Inspired by a mention of arrowroot in Jane Austen's Emma, Mike Freemantle investigates how subtle differences in composition mean starch can be resistant dietary fibre or easily-digested nourishment.

  • Picric acidiStock2259112300tb
    Podcast

    Picric acid

    2016-07-20T00:00:00Z

    A yellow dress, of the type worn by Jane Austen, sets Michael Freemantle exploring the chemistry of picric acid

  • Ammonium carbonatecredit RSC Ben Valsler300tb
    Podcast

    Ammonium carbonate

    2016-06-29T00:00:00Z

    Ever taken a whiff of smelling salts? For many years, the compound that contributed the pungent pong was ammonium carbonate

  • Coumarin 392214286
    Podcast

    Coumarin

    2016-05-18T00:00:00Z

    Michael Freemantle takes a stroll through ‘Jane Austen country’ to discover this week’s compound: Coumarin