underferment

Meanings

verbunderferment (third-person singular simple present underferments, present participle underfermenting, simple past and past participle underfermented)

present singular third person underferments · participle present underfermenting · participle past underfermented · past underfermented

ambitransitiveTo ferment insufficiently.
To obtain a raw, rasping and pungent flavor I am compelled to underferment, the indication of which is that the colour of infused leaves are of a greenish brown tint.
1882, The tea cyclopædia. Articles on tea, tea science [&c.].
2 more examples
Beginning bakers are much more likely to underferment and underproof their dough than to overferment and overproof, due to lack of experience combined with a lack of patience.
2009, Lauren Chattman, The Baking Answer Book
Be mindful that if you underferment your kimchi or open the jar too soon and expose it to oxygen, it will taste bitter or "oil" or have a slight chemical smell, but this is quite natural.
2012, Lauryn Chun, Olga Massov, The Kimchi Cookbook, →ISBN