Sometimes it’s mold. Sometimes it’s bacteria or heat or another reaction that breaks down starch and tissue. No matter what it is, the act of making food requires change at the molecular level — something often unlocked only by the passage of time. Time is the secret ingredient in much of our most beloved dishes and food products. In these photos by @ellenmarycronin, we got an up-close look at the transformational moments that make food — and flavor — magical. Whether it’s the stringy ooze of natto or the crisp edges of crystal candy, this is food made not just delicious, but incredibly, tantalizingly tactile.