Curdle: meaning, definitions and examples

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curdle

[ˈkərdl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in cooking

To separate or cause to separate into curds or lumps.

Synonyms

clot, coagulate, thicken.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
curdle	Refers to the process of turning from a liquid into lumps or curds. It is often used to describe a negative or unwanted reaction, often in culinary contexts. The soup might curdle if it is left out for too long. Anxiety can curdle your thoughts and make it hard to focus.
coagulate	Used to describe the process of a liquid, especially blood, becoming thickened into a solid or semi-solid mass. This term is mainly used in scientific or medical contexts. The blood started to coagulate around the wound. Egg whites will coagulate when they are cooked.
clot	Primarily used in medical or biological contexts to refer to the process of blood turning into a solid form. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something becoming thick and obstructive. The doctors quickly worked to dissolve the blood clot. His thoughts began to clot, making it difficult to concentrate.
thicken	Commonly used to describe the process of making a liquid more dense or viscous, often in cooking or manufacturing. It can also be used metaphorically to mean making something more intense or complicated. Add cornstarch to the mixture to thicken the gravy. The plot of the book began to thicken as more twists were introduced.

Examples of usage

The milk began to curdle when I added the lemon juice.
Be careful not to curdle the sauce by overheating it.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

figurative

To become spoiled or sour.

Synonyms

sour, spoil, turn bad.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
curdle	Similar to 'curdle', often used in the same way to describe when a liquid, primarily milk, starts to solidify into lumps. If the soup begins to curdle, it means you’ve added the dairy too soon. Don't let the cream curdle while making the sauce.
sour	Used to describe the process when a food or drink develops an acidic taste, often indicating that it has gone bad. You should discard milk that has turned sour. Leaving fruit out too long can cause it to sour.
spoil	A general term for food that has gone bad and is no longer safe to eat. Food can spoil quickly if not stored properly. Always check expiration dates to avoid spoiled products.
turn bad	An informal way to say that food has gone bad, applicable to a wide range of food items. If the chicken smells off, it has probably turned bad. Don’t eat that—it looks like it’s turned bad.

Examples of usage

The relationship between them curdled after the argument.
The atmosphere in the room curdled as tensions rose.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Middle English 'curdlen', which relates to the substance curds that form when milk thickens.
It’s rooted in the Old English word 'cyrd', meaning cheese, highlighting its connection to dairy products.
Similar words in other languages include the German 'Gerinnen' and French 'cailler', both meaning to curdle or thicken.

Culinary Arts

Curdling is an essential step in making cheese, where milk proteins clump together, leading to various cheese types like ricotta or feta.
Certain acids, such as lemon juice or vinegar, are used to curdle milk intentionally in recipes for cheese-making.
Some desserts, like panna cotta, utilize curdling to achieve the desired creamy texture as it's allowed to set.

Biology

The process of curdling happens when proteins in milk denature and aggregate, often through heat or acidity.
In a biological context, curdling can indicate spoilage, where bacteria produce lactic acid, causing fresh milk to curdle into sour milk.
The lactase enzyme produced by bacteria plays a vital role in transformed milk into yogurt, which also involves a controlled curdling process.

Cultural References

In literature, curdling appears as a metaphor for emotions turning sour, emphasizing sudden negative changes.
The phrase 'curdled thoughts' is sometimes used to describe ideas that have gone wrong or turned problematic.
Curdling has been featured in culinary shows to showcase the artistry of transforming basic ingredients into sophisticated dishes.

Science

The phenomenon of curdling is not just limited to milk; it can occur in other liquids due to temperature changes or the introduction of enzymes.
In microbiology, understanding the curdling process can be crucial in the dairy industry for quality control and product development.
Explorations of protein behaviors help scientists design food textures and flavors, often utilizing the principles of curdling.

Translations

Translations of the word "curdle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 coalhar

🇮🇳 फटना

🇩🇪 gerinnen

🇮🇩 menggumpal

🇺🇦 згортатися

🇵🇱 zważyć się

🇯🇵 凝固する (ぎょうこする)

🇫🇷 cailler

🇪🇸 cuajar

🇹🇷 kesilmek

🇰🇷 응고되다

🇸🇦 يخثر

🇨🇿 srazit se

🇸🇰 zraziť sa

🇨🇳 凝固 (nínggù)

🇸🇮 strditi

🇮🇸 storkna

🇰🇿 ұйып қалу

🇬🇪 შეჭედვა

🇦🇿 qatılaşmaq

🇲🇽 cuajar

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,158 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
34155 taxidermist
34156 derogating
34157 inanity
34158 curdle
34159 pemmican
34160 costless
34161 logistically
...