ferment
To undergo or cause a chemical change in which organic substances are broken down by enzymes or microorganisms into simpler compounds, typically producing alcohol, carbon dioxide, or organic acids.
While often used scientifically for anaerobic breakdown, in culinary contexts it refers to the intentional cultivation of beneficial microbes to transform flavor and preserve food.
Word relationships
- brew: 'Brew' specifically implies steeping and boiling ingredients, whereas 'ferment' is the biological breakdown itself.
- sour: 'Sour' focuses purely on the taste outcome, while 'ferment' describes the chemical process.
- preserve: In some contexts, preservation halts all biological activity, whereas fermentation encourages specific biological activity.
Commonly confused with
- rot: 'Rot' is uncontrolled decay by putrefying bacteria, whereas 'ferment' is controlled, beneficial microbial activity.
Word family
- fermentation (noun): The chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms.
- fermentative (adjective): Causing or relating to fermentation.
Collocations
- allow to ferment
- actively ferment
- ferment naturally
Idioms & expressions
- in a ferment
Example sentences
- "The wild yeasts on the grape skins began to ferment the natural sugars into alcohol." A classic explanation of the biological process of making wine.
- "To ferment the cabbage properly, one must exclude oxygen and maintain a cool, stable temperature." From a historical text on domestic economy.
Memory hook
Think of 'fervent' passion bubbling up inside you. Just like a fervent crowd, yeast cells bubble and boil with energy as they ferment. Ferment makes things bubble and ferment like a boiling pot.
When not to use
Do not use when food is simply rotting or spoiling without control; fermentation is a guided, beneficial process.
Fun facts
- The oldest evidence of intentional fermentation is a 13,000-year-old beer residue found in a cave in Israel, used by semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers.
Explore more words
fermentation, metabolism, catalyze, catalyst, enzyme, compost
Also appears in
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