siede

Siede is a German verb meaning to boil or to seethe; it describes the act of a liquid reaching its boiling point and forming bubbles. In everyday cooking, sieden denotes vigorous boiling, while kochen is a broader term for cooking in liquid that does not necessarily imply boiling. The word is used in technical contexts as well, where precise boiling is important, such as in chemistry or food processing.

Etymology and cognates: Sieden comes from Old High German sîdan, with related forms in other Germanic languages. It is cognate with Dutch zieden and English seethe, reflecting a common Indo-European root for bubbling and heating liquids.

Usage and nuances: The related noun Siedepunkt refers to the boiling point—the temperature at which a liquid boils. Sieden as a process can apply to water, broth, or other liquids, and it may appear in historical or industrial texts describing distillation, sterilization, or purification where vigorous boiling is necessary. In contemporary everyday language, speakers often prefer kochen for general cooking and reserve sieden for precise boiling or scientific contexts.

Example contexts: In German, one might say, "Das Wasser siedet," meaning the water is boiling. In English-language summaries of German cooking, translations may render sieden as “to boil” or “to seethe,” depending on the nuance.

See also: Siedepunkt, Kochen, Seethe (English cognate).