Spanish Conversation · Level 49
75 words
Spanish word
fermentar
Pronunciation
IPA/feɾmenˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbferment
Example
El yogur fermenta en el refrigerador.
The yogurt ferments in the refrigerator.
More examples
Para hacer kimchi, se dejan fermentar las verduras con sal.
To make kimchi, the vegetables are left to ferment with salt.
Core concept
Biological breakdown of sugars producing acid, alcohol, or gas that alters a food's texture and flavor.
Common phrases
dejar fermentar
leave to ferment
fermentar alimentos
ferment foods
fermentar la masa
ferment the dough
Similar words
madurar: Ripens fruit or cheese slowly, developing richer flavor and a softer, desirable texture.
agriar: Makes a food or drink sour by producing acids or otherwise increasing tartness.
pudrir: Decomposes food into foul-smelling rot with discoloration that makes it unsafe to eat.
Definition in Spanish
Denota el proceso biológico por el cual levaduras o bacterias descomponen azúcares y otros compuestos, generando ácido, alcohol o gas que alteran las cualidades del producto.
Word origin
From Latin fermentum 'fermented substance' and the verb fermentare, entering Spanish as fermentar with the -ar ending and keeping the sense of causing or undergoing fermentation.
Usage tips
- Fermentar is often confused with fomentar; fermentar names the biochemical change in foods and also appears figuratively for ideas or grievances spreading slowly, while fomentar means to encourage.
Opposites
- conservarpreserveverb
Related words
- fermentaciónfermentationnoun
- fermentadofermentedadjective