Explain saponification

Saponification is the hydrolysis of an ester with a strong base to produce an alcohol and the salt of a carboxylic acid. In the context of fats and oils, which are triglycerides (esters of glycerol and fatty acids), saponification involves reacting the triglyceride with a strong base like sodium hydroxide ($\text{NaOH}$) or potassium hydroxide ($\text{KOH}$). This reaction breaks down the triglyceride into glycerol and the sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids, which are commonly known as soap.