Marination is the process of soaking foods in a seasoned, often acidic, liquid before cooking. The origin of the word alludes to the use of
brine (
aqua marina) in the pickling process, which led to the technique of adding flavor by immersion in liquid. The liquid in question, the 'marinade', can be either acidic (made with ingredients such as
vinegar,
lemon juice, or
wine) or enzymatic (made with ingredients such as
pineapple,
papaya or
kiwifruit). In addition to these ingredients, a marinade often contains oils,
herbs, and
spices to further flavor the food items.
