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Sifted Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sifted

[sɪftɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

food preparation

Sifted refers to the process of passing dry ingredients through a sieve to remove lumps and incorporate air. This technique is commonly used when preparing flour for baking to ensure a lighter texture. Sifting helps to evenly distribute baking powder, baking soda, or other leavening agents in the mixture. It is an essential step in many recipes to enhance the final product's quality and consistency.

Synonyms

filtered, screened, separated.

Examples of usage

  • The chef sifted the flour before mixing it with sugar.
  • Sifted cocoa powder is necessary for the cake to rise properly.
  • Make sure to sift the dry ingredients to avoid clumps.
  • I always sifted my flour when preparing cookies.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Arts

  • Sifting flour is often recommended in baking to aerate it, resulting in lighter cakes and pastries.
  • Many pastry chefs sift powdered sugar before using it in icings to avoid clumps and ensure smoothness.
  • The practice of sifting isn't limited to flour; it can also be applied to cocoa powder and other dry ingredients.

Science

  • Sifting can be used in particle size analysis in chemistry to determine the distribution of different sized particles.
  • In geology, sediment is sifted to analyze the composition and age of soil or rocks.
  • This technique is also essential in mining and culinary practices to discover valuable materials hidden among less valuable ones.

Cultural Practices

  • In some cultures, sifting flour is a traditional part of family gatherings and celebrations, emphasizing the importance of food preparation.
  • Certain artisan bakers have developed unique sifting techniques to create signature textures in their bread, linking to local traditions.
  • Folklore in various regions often associates sifting with cleanliness and abundance, believing it brings good luck.

Literature

  • Sifting is frequently used as a metaphor in literature to describe the process of discerning truth from falsehood or finding meaning.
  • Authors like Virginia Woolf employed the idea of sifting through thoughts in stream-of-consciousness writing, reflecting inner dialogue.
  • Poets often use the action of sifting to enhance imagery, evoking sensations of filtering emotions or memories.

Origin of 'sifted'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'sift' comes from the Old English 'siftan', meaning 'to separate, to take apart'.
  • Related words include 'sieve', which is a tool used for sifting, also originating from the Old English 'sife'.
  • The concept has been around for centuries, used in agriculture and baking to improve texture and quality.

The word 'sift' comes from the Old English 'siftan,' which meant to sift or separate. This term traces its roots further back to Proto-Germanic *siftan, which shares similarities with words in other Germanic languages; for example, the Dutch 'zeven' and German 'sieben.' The evolution of the term is linked to the process of refining and sorting materials, specifically grains, where the action of sifting provides not just separation but also purification and aeration. In the context of cooking, the practice of sifting flour became more commonplace with the advent of baking as a culinary art, significantly noted during the medieval period. Since then, sifting has established itself as an essential technique in both professional and home kitchens, critical for achieving light and airy baked goods.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,675, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.