Fermenting: meaning, definitions and examples

Fermenting is used in the context of converting carbohydrates to alcohol or organic acids using microorganisms. It is often used in making alcoholic beverages, sauerkraut, and yogurt.

• The process of fermenting grapes produces wine.
• She enjoyed fermenting vegetables to make homemade kimchi.

Brewing specifically refers to the process of making beer or other beverages by steeping, boiling, and fermenting ingredients such as grains or hops.

• He has a passion for brewing his own beer at home.
• The local brewery is known for brewing a variety of craft beers.

Culturing is used in contexts where live bacteria or yeast are grown under controlled conditions. This word is often used in microbiology, dairy production, and making certain food products like cheese and yogurt.

• She is culturing bacteria in the lab for her research project.
• Culturing yogurt requires a warm environment to allow the bacteria to grow.

Pickling is the process of preserving or extending the shelf life of food by either anaerobic fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar. It is often used for vegetables and fruits.

• He spent the weekend pickling cucumbers from his garden.
• Pickling onions can add a tangy flavor to salads.

Use this when describing the process of yeast converting sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide in the making of alcoholic beverages or the biochemical change in food and beverages due to microbial activity.

• The wine has been fermenting for over a month.
• Fermenting cabbage leads to the production of sauerkraut.

This is used when preparing and making beverages like beer or tea, or when something, often trouble or conflict, is developing or about to happen.

• He enjoys brewing his own beer at home.
• A storm was brewing on the horizon.

This word is used to describe causing disturbances or stirring up feelings, situations, or physical materials, often in a negative or unsettling way.

• The protestors were agitating the crowd.
• The machine was agitating the mixture continuously.

Use this word when describing the process of keeping something in a warm, controlled environment to promote growth and development, often used for eggs or bacteria.

• The researchers are incubating the bacteria at 37°C.
• The hen is incubating her eggs until they hatch.