What term is used for food that is made hot through the application of heat?

The term used for food that is made hot through the application of heat is "cooked." Cooking involves using various methods such as boiling, baking, frying, or grilling to prepare food, which transforms its flavor, texture, color, and nutritional properties. This process not only makes food more palatable but can also kill harmful bacteria, making it safer to eat.

Raw foods, on the other hand, are those that have not undergone any cooking process and remain in their natural state. Frozen refers to food that has been preserved by lowering its temperature to below freezing, halting bacterial growth but not heating it. Fresh typically describes food that is recently harvested or made available, emphasizing its quality and lack of preservatives but does not imply any cooking has occurred. Therefore, "cooked" accurately captures the concept of food that has been heated, distinguishing it from these other terms.