fermentation
Meaning: A metabolic process in which microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria convert sugars into alcohol, acids, or gases, widely used in food and drink production.
Fermentation is fundamental to the production of bread, beer, wine, cheese, yoghurt, and a wide range of other foods. In biochemistry, it refers specifically to anaerobic metabolism — the breakdown of glucose without oxygen. 'Alcoholic fermentation,' 'fermentation process,' 'lactic acid fermentation,' and 'fermented foods' are standard collocations. The recent popularity of fermented foods such as kimchi, kombucha, and kefir has brought the term into everyday health and food discourse.
Examples
- The fermentation of grape juice into wine has been practised for thousands of years across virtually every civilisation. 葡萄汁发酵成葡萄酒的做法已在几乎所有文明中延续了数千年。La fermentación del zumo de uva en vino se ha practicado durante miles de años en prácticamente todas las civilizaciones.ブドウ果汁をワインに変える発酵は、ほぼすべての文明で数千年にわたって行われてきた。포도즙을 와인으로 변환하는 발효는 거의 모든 문명에서 수천 년에 걸쳐 행해져 왔다.
- Sourdough bread relies on a slow fermentation process that develops its characteristic tangy flavour. 酸面包依赖于缓慢的发酵过程来形成其特有的微酸风味。El pan de masa madre se basa en un proceso de fermentación lento que desarrolla su característico sabor ácido.サワードウパンは、特有の酸味を生み出す緩やかな発酵過程に依存している。사워도우 빵은 특유의 신맛을 만들어 내는 느린 발효 과정에 의존한다.
- Industrial fermentation is used to produce antibiotics, biofuels, and a growing range of biotechnology products. 工业发酵被用于生产抗生素、生物燃料以及越来越多的生物技术产品。La fermentación industrial se emplea para producir antibióticos, biocombustibles y una gama creciente de productos biotecnológicos.工業的発酵は、抗生物質・バイオ燃料、そして増え続けるバイオテクノロジー製品の製造に利用されている。산업적 발효는 항생제, 바이오연료, 그리고 점점 늘어나는 생명공학 제품의 생산에 활용된다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin fermentare (to leaven, cause to rise), from fermentum (yeast, leaven), related to fervere (to boil, seethe). The scientific understanding of fermentation as a microbial process was established by Louis Pasteur in the 1850s.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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