Tips & Techniques > Osmosis & Diffusion in Brining

Definitions taken from merriam-webster.com:

Osmosis: movement of a solvent (as water) through a semi-permeable membrane (as of a living cell) into a solution of higher solute concentration that tends to equalize the concentrations of solute on the two sides of the membrane

Diffusion: the process whereby particles of liquids, gases, or solids intermingle as the result of their spontaneous movement caused by thermal agitation and in dissolved substances move from a region of higher to one of lower concentration

These two processes help to balance the difference between the amount of water, salt, and flavorings in the brine solution and the amount of water and flavorings inside the meat cells.