Which should you use, ferment or foment? The intransitive verb ferment means to undergo fermentation. The transitive verb ferment means to incite or stir up. The transitive verb foment means to instigate or stir up. Foment is also an old word meaning to bathe (a part of the body) with warm or medicated lotions.
| Incorrect: |
In the wet processing method, coffee beans are fomented and washed.
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| Correct: |
In the wet processing method, coffee beans are fermented and washed.
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