So you started your fermentation journey, and somewhere along the way, you’ve inevitably come across the terms aerobic and anaerobic fermentation. Before going over the difference, it’s important to note that while these terms are used across many subjects, this article covers how these terms are generally used in fermentation. What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic?
In the simplest terms, the difference here is that anaerobic means without the presence of oxygen, while aerobic means with the presence of oxygen.
When you see these two terms used in fermentation, they tell us whether the fermentation process takes place with or without oxygen present. Furthermore, the term aerobic (respiration) in fermentation nearly always means open-air, and anaerobic in fermentation usually refers to fermentation taking place in a closed vessel with an airlock.
