舌尖上的中国第1季 第91期:五味的调和(13)

 The Zhenjiang vinegar is made from sticky rice. 镇江香醋的原料是糯米

Production starts with soaking the sticky rice. 浸泡过的糯米经过高温蒸煮

The rice is first steamed in high temperatures until the starch¹ component² gets sticky. 淀粉充分粘稠

Then the rice is put under cold running water,so that the rice grains contract, 再用冷水冲淋降温 让饭粒收缩

making room for microorganism to propagate. 有利于微生物繁殖

Then it's time to add wine yeast³ for mashing⁴, a prelude⁵ to fermentation. 拌入酒曲（麴），使淀粉糖化发酵成酒醅

Next is the critical step: acetic⁶ acid fermentation. 接下来是制醋的关键工序：醋酸发酵

This determines the outcome of the entire process in terms of both quantity and quality. 这决定了香醋的产量和质量

It takes 21 days to produce the acidity⁷ and another one month for esterification. 历经21天的演化，酸味产生了 再进入长达一个多月的酯化阶段

That's where the aroma⁸ of the vinegar comes from. 这个过程就是产生香味的秘密

Acid can contribute to the taste of dishes. 酸味能增加菜肴的鲜香

This is particularly TRUE when it comes to cooking meat. 尤其在烹制肉类时

Acidity can accelerate fibrosis of meat and make the meat more tender and delicious. 酸味加速肉的纤维化 肉质更加细嫩，口感鲜美

Apart from that, acidity can also boost digestion⁹ and appetite. 仅仅"酸"味本身 也能促进消化，增进食欲

1 starch   

n.淀粉；vt.给...上浆

参考例句：

• Corn starch is used as a thickener in stews.玉米淀粉在炖煮菜肴中被用作增稠剂。
• I think there's too much starch in their diet.我看是他们的饮食里淀粉太多了。

2 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

3 yeast   

n.酵母；酵母片；泡沫；v.发酵；起泡沫

参考例句：

• Yeast can be used in making beer and bread.酵母可用于酿啤酒和发面包。
• The yeast began to work.酵母开始发酵。

4 mashing   

捣碎

参考例句：

• Long ago, they served as a useful third set of mashing molars. 许多年前，它们可是有用的第三套磨牙系统。
• During continuous mashing, filter 2 is filled when filter 1 is full. 在连续糖化过程中，当压滤机1填满后即填充压滤机2。

5 prelude   

n.序言，前兆，序曲

参考例句：

• The prelude to the musical composition is very long.这首乐曲的序曲很长。
• The German invasion of Poland was a prelude to World War II.德国入侵波兰是第二次世界大战的序幕。

6 acetic   

adj.酸的

参考例句：

• Acetic acid is one of the organic acids which have many uses.醋酸是用途最广泛的有机酸之一。
• The wine in him has almost melted acetic acid.他一肚皮的酒几乎全化为了醋酸。

7 acidity   

n.酸度，酸性

参考例句：

• This plant prefers alkaline soil,though it will readily tolerate some acidity.这种植物在酸性土壤中也能生存，但硷性土壤更加适宜。
• Gastric acidity would not prevent the organism from passing into the gut.胃的酸度不能防止细菌进入肠道。

8 aroma   

n.香气，芬芳，芳香

参考例句：

• The whole house was filled with the aroma of coffee.满屋子都是咖啡的香味。
• The air was heavy with the aroma of the paddy fields.稻花飘香。

9 digestion   

n.消化，吸收

参考例句：

• This kind of tea acts as an aid to digestion.这种茶可助消化。
• This food is easy of digestion.这食物容易消化。