Macération

Definition

Soaking ingredients in liquid to extract flavor or soften texture. It's basically marinating's pretentious cousin.

Also: The process of soaking ingredients in liquid to soften, flavor, or preserve them. It's what happens when you leave fruit in booze and call it cooking.

Example Usage

The dried fruit underwent maceration in brandy for three weeks.

Origin

French, from Latin 'macerare' meaning 'to soften'

Fun Fact

Maceration can be cold or hot, with hot maceration extracting flavors much faster.

Source: Larousse Gastronomique

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