blanch

¹

[ blanch, blahnch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to whiten by removing color; bleach:

   Workers were blanching linen in the sun.

2. Cooking.
   1. to scald briefly and then drain, as peaches or almonds to facilitate removal of skins, or as rice or macaroni to separate the grains or strands.
   2. to scald or parboil (meat or vegetables) so as to whiten, remove the odor, prepare for cooking by other means, etc.
3. Horticulture. (of the stems or leaves of plants, as celery or leeks) to whiten or prevent from becoming green by excluding light.
4. Metallurgy.
   1. to give a white luster to (metals), as by means of acids.
   2. to coat (sheet metal) with tin.
5. to make pale, as with sickness or fear:

   The long illness had blanched her cheeks of their natural color.

verb (used without object)

1. to become white; turn pale:

   The very thought of going made him blanch.

blanch

²

[ blanch, blahnch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to force back or to one side; head off, as a deer or other quarry.

blanch

/ blɑːntʃ /

verb

1. also intr to remove colour from, or (of colour) to be removed; whiten; fade

   the sun blanched the carpet

   over the years the painting blanched

2. usually intr to become or cause to become pale, as with sickness or fear
3. to plunge tomatoes, nuts, etc, into boiling water to loosen the skin
4. to plunge (meat, green vegetables, etc) in boiling water or bring to the boil in water in order to whiten, preserve the natural colour, or reduce or remove a bitter or salty taste
5. to cause (celery, chicory, etc) to grow free of chlorophyll by the exclusion of sunlight
6. metallurgy to whiten (a metal), usually by treating it with an acid or by coating it with tin
7. tr,usually foll byover to attempt to conceal something

Other Words From

• blanch·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of blanch¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English bla(u)nchen, from Anglo-French, Middle French blanchir “to whiten,” derivative of blanc, blanche “white”; blank

Origin of blanch²

First recorded in 1565–75; variant of blench ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of blanch¹

C14: from Old French blanchir from blanc white; see blank

Synonym Study

See whiten.

Example Sentences

“When Issa came up with the guitar scene, I initially blanched, thinking that if this guy was creative he probably wouldn’t be the person he is,” the actor says.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, banana puree made from really ripe bananas can be stored for up to 14 days at 4°C. You can use freezing, blanching, fermentation and canning for most vegetables.

From Salon

“Thriving at woodland edges, its name comes from the painful itch caused by contact with its tiny hairs, so wear thick gloves to harvest. Happily, blanching removes the sting.”

From Seattle Times

EatingWell recommended blanching potatoes before freezing them to prevent a sweeter flavor and discoloration.

From Salon

Larger veggies, like blanched green beans or cauliflower florets, make for a great pickle-y snack.

From Salon

Related Words

• flinch
• recoil
• wince