If the germ theory is relatively new, how do they think fermentation was happening (like wine, ale, yogurt etc.) thousands of years ago?

Question

If the germ theory is relatively new, how do they think fermentation was happening (like wine, ale, yogurt etc.) thousands of years ago?

In: 613

Answer 1

As others have said, they thought it was magic and/or “just happened.” In fact, the German Beer Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot) originally stated that beer could only contain water, barley, and hops. It was only later (when they found out about fermentation) that it was amended to include yeast.

Answer 2

I believe back then when there was less of an understanding as to why things were the way they were they did a lot of trial and error and they just kinda need that it worked better when they did x

Answer 3

Just like people knew about heat treatment of metals long before we learned about materials science. You can do a lot of stuff without knowing the underlying mechanisms.