Translations:AY Honors/Fermentation/Answer Key/23/en

Ancient Cultural Uses:

1. Ancient Egypt – Leavened Bread (~4000 BCE): Egyptians fermented dough with wild yeast, creating fluffy bread, a staple offering to gods and Pharaohs (Exodus 12:15 context). Stored grain lasted longer, feeding cities. Discussion: “Egyptians kneaded dough in Nile heat—yeast bubbled up! It fed thousands, like God’s manna.”
2. China – Soy Sauce (~500 BCE): Fermented soy beans with mould and salt made a savoury sauce, preserving protein in Han Dynasty diets. Still key in Chinese cooking. Discussion: “No fridges—China kept beans tasty for years! Soy sauce shows God’s clever food design.”
3. Mesopotamia – Yoghurt (~6000 BCE): Nomads stored milk in goat stomachs; bacteria turned it to yoghurt, lasting weeks. Spread to Sumerians. Discussion: “Milk went thick, not bad—nomads loved it! God gave microbes to save food.”
4. West Africa – Kenkey (~1000 BCE): Fermented maize dough, cooked into a sour staple, fed Ghanaian tribes. Portable for travel. Discussion: “Africa turned corn into kenkey—sour, yummy, lasting! God’s microbes helped tribes thrive.”
5. Inca Empire – Chicha (~500 CE): Chewed maize, spit, and fermented into a mild drink for rituals in Peru. Preserved crops. Discussion: “Incas made maize drink for worship—fermentation kept it fresh. God’s nature aided them!”
6. India – Dosa (~100 CE): Fermented rice-lentil batter made crispy pancakes, a South Indian staple, boosting nutrition. Discussion: “India’s dosa bubbled overnight—tasty, healthy! God’s tiny bugs made meals better.”