CultureAugust 3, 2026
saccharification
sak-uh-rif-ih-KAY-shun
Definition
The biochemical process in which complex carbohydrates, such as starch, are broken down into simple sugars like glucose.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'saccharum' (sugar) and the suffix '-fication' (to make or become), reflecting the literal process of turning starch into sugar.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe a critical stage in the traditional Chinese brewing process, where grains are converted into fermentable sugars. It highlights the sophistication of the ancient technique by noting the use of a fermentation starter that enabled this process alongside fermentation.
2,000-year-old alcohol discovered in tomb in China’s Ningxia
Read the full article ↗Asia News Network