Fermenting 101

Fermenting and preserving foods and drinks has really hit its stride. Check out these tips from cookbook author Charlotte Pike and a recipe for Kraut-Chi.

More than ever, fermented fruits, vegetables, bread, yogurts, and even drinks are getting the spotlight they rightfully deserve. Every culture and cuisine has its own favorite method and foods to ferment. In Charlotte Pike’s book, Fermented, she showcases a variety of techniques and style while lifting away the mystique we often associate with the seemingly magical process of fermentation.

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Clear, concise, and still informative, Fermented not only explains how to simply ferment, but also the benefits of consuming fermented foods. The book not only provides informative fermenting recipes, but also recipes to serve those fermented foods with, like a kimchi soup or tandoori chicken with homemade yogurt. Here are some of our favorite tips to fermenting from Charlotte Pike’s books as well as a recipe for Kraut-Chi, a popular hybrid of German sauerkraut and Korean kimchi.

Always Use Pure Water

It may seem like an unimportant ingredient, but using pure water, not water from a tap, is crucial when fermenting. Any chemicals, like chlorine, commonly found in city water will prevent fermentation from happening properly.

Always Use Pure Sea Salt

Just like with water, pure sea salt that doesn’t contain additives like iodine is important. Iodine naturally kills microorganisms which are the little guys that carry out fermentation.

Fermentation Makes for the Perfect Gift

Whether a homemade granola or a jar of kimchi, fermented foods can be the perfect gift for someone who has it all. Try making Rumtopf, with the recipe in Fermented. Rumtopf is made by combining fruit, sugar, and rum to make a deliciously boozy ice cream addition.

Make Dairy-Free Yogurt Cheaper

Dairy-free yogurts are available in the store, but they are quite expensive and are usually not fermented, so are missing out on nutritional benefits. You can easily make your own delicious fermented yogurt using coconut milk.

Make the Easiest “Cheese”

Labneh, a Middle Eastern yogurt can be served like a cheese, but takes much less effort to make. Simply fill cheese cloth with whole milk yogurt and let the it drip until only the thicker liquid is left. Then serve the labneh on flatbread, a vegetable tart, or even baked into a cheesecake.

Simple Can Produce the Most Flavor

Sourdough bread can seem like quite the challenge to make, but it only requires the simplest ingredients— water, flour, salt, and wild yeast. Charlotte breaks down the process of making a perfect loaf of bread and troubleshooting for your unique environment. Plus, the fermented grains found in sourdough is easier for your stomach to digest.