Last week on Fermentation Friday we talked about What is Fermented Food and why you would want to eat it. This week we are going to learn a little more about how it all happens and make our very first “recipe” or as the oldest country kid refers to them a “science project.”
And he is right, there is a wee bit of science to fermenting food. Like the amount and type of salt you use. So if you have never really given salt a second thought, today is the day you might just learn something you can use the next time you are on Jeopardy! Okay, maybe not, but it is really useful information when starting a fermenting project.
When your are fermenting veggies, they need to be in a brine. A brine is simply water and salt. But it is not that simple, you need the right kind and amount of salt. Why is salt so important? Because it makes fermenting possible! The salt in your brine keeps the bad bacteria from growing, while allowing the good bacteria, the lactic acid bacteria, to do the job of breaking down the sugars in the food and thus fermenting and preserving it. Too little salt and the bad guys run wild, to much salt and the good guys can’t do their job either.
So now your wondering “how much salt do I use then?” We will get to that, but first you need to know which salt to use. All salt is NOT created equal in the eyes of the fermentation gods.
Table salt – No, no, no, no, no and here is why…. Processed table salt has been “made over.” All the minerals have been removed and iodine added. While you might get table salt to work, trust me, when it comes to fermenting, your Grandma’s salt was NOT this salt. The added iodine can do bad things to the good bacteria.
Canning & Pickling salt – Now we are getting somewhere! You can totally ferment with this guy. We have Morton brand and I love how they say “plain salt, nothing added.” Well thank goodness, because do you really want to mess with Mother Nature?
Sea salt – We have just entered the “luxury car showroom” of salts! These are the guys that have the minerals! While there are different types available, Fermentools sent me some beautiful pink ancient Himalayan sea salt, which has over 80 trace minerals.
So back to the “how much salt do I use” question. Well, it is going to depend on what you are fermenting. If you are new to fermenting, using a proven recipes is a great place to start. For the most part I like my veggies in a 4% brine. I don’t like things overly salty, I like to be able to taste the flavors and the food, not a mouth full of salty food. The nice thing about the internet (and the back of the package of salt I got from Fermentools) is there are charts that tells you how many Tablespoons and teaspoons of salt you need to reach the percentage you want.
Once you begin having success with other peoples’ recipes, you are going to want to start experimenting with your own ideas. Trust me, not every recipe out there is going to be a winner in your book, just because someone else liked it. Just because it is edible, don’t mean your taste-buds will dance. But flavoring your food is different from how much salt you use in your brine. While the salt does impart flavor, it it is there to balance the bacteria out.
Let’s try Fermenting….
So now that you know what fermented food is (from last week) and why salt is so important, are you starting to get the itch to try your hand at fermenting food? Trust me, once you start, it becomes addictive! Well, if you are ready to start your fermenting adventure, let’s start at the beginning with a simple recipe….. and scroll down to enter to win your own fermenting kit from Fermentools so you can join us on our journey!
Salt + Cabbage= Kraut
Making sauerkraut is one of the EASIEST thing to ferment. And even if your not a fan of it (which I’m not, but my hubby is) it is a good first project to try. The nice thing about making kraut is, it is hard to screw up and easy to throw together. To do this ferment you will need a jar, lid, salt and some cabbage. If you don’t have a Fermentool kit with an airlock, you will need to “burp” your kraut every couple days.
Step 1: Get your cabbage cut up into smaller pieces. Some people use a cheese grater, we use our food processor.
Step 2: Put a handful of cabbage in you jar and sprinkle it with your salt (about a 1/4 teaspoon) and take a wooden spoon and “massage” or “bruise” the cabbage so it begins to release it’s liquid.
Step 3: Repeat step 2 till your jar is full.
Now I know you are wondering when you are going to make that brine we have mentioned. Your not, your cabbage is going to make it’s own! The salt you put in will help preserve the cabbage and ferment it into kraut, but it also draws out the moisture in the cabbage, which will combine with the salt to make the brine. How cool is that!?!?
Now if you have a Fermentool kit, you place the glass weight on top of you cabbage, this will help hold it under the brine that will form. Put your lid on your jar and airlock. No Fermentool kit? No airlock? No problem, you are just going to have to open the lid every few days to release the pressure of the gasses created as the cabbage brakes down. While a sealed anaerobic environment is a beautiful thing, we know that they didn’t have them 1000 years ago. The kit just makes it easier to ferment, keeping air out so your salt doesn’t have to work as hard or as long.
Once you have your jar all sealed up, leave it sit on the counter for about 5 days before transferring it to the fridge where it will continue to ferment, soften and mellow over time. Kraut is a “longer haul” type ferment, meaning you can’t open it and eat it in a week. It takes time, but it is so worth it according to my hubby. It takes about 4-6 weeks before your kraut is ready for eating. The photo to the right is our kraut at just over three weeks. The color of the cabbage fades a bit, that is normal.
You know you want a Fermentool Kit!
Well today is your luck day, my friends, because you can win your very own kit to join us on our fermenting journey! The kit includes everything you need to get started. You simply provide the jar and the veggies! Scroll down to enter below the photo of the kit….. Don’t feel lucky? You can buy a kit here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
“Pickling” food uses vinegar as the preserving agent, where as fermenting uses SALT. The salt is the kick in the butt, so to speak, to start the chemical process of breaking down the sugars in the food. Fermenting and Pickling are two different food preservation methods.
I tried to ferment cabbage.
How did it go?!?!
I have never fermented before. But it is one of my goals this year.
You will have so much fun with it!
I shared and entered your cool giveaway!
Aww thanks!
I would love to learn to make sauerkraut and kimchi these are two of my favorites!
Kraut is sooooo easy.
I can't wait to try fermentation, (love me some Sauer kraut)! Thanks for a great give away and all the great info!
More info to come in our series. Good luck on the giveaway!
I made kraut when I was a kid growing up. Have been away from it for a long time. Now I am going back to basic foods do would love yo learn more. Thanks for the give away.
You can so pull of kraut again. Like riding a bike! Good luck to you!
I make homemade Kimchee every few months, and I also make Pickles. I ferment both, as I think that they taste so much better!!!
I know that health wise they are better for you to eat, also. 🙂
I have been making extra Kimchee as well as Pickles since I am planning to give some away for Christmas to people on my list, whom appreciate and beg me for my homemade foods!!!!
What a great Christmas gift idea. I always bake for folks and we occasionally give out maple syrup we make.
I use to watch my mom and a friend of hers do it every summer,it was great! Of course I had to help but I really enjoyed it..
I used to love snapping beans with my grandpa around a big old wash tub. Childhood memories are so wonderful aren't they!
I made pickles and jalapenos. The jalapenos were awesome but the pickles turned to mush. : (
Pickles can be tricky. We will be talking them on Fermentation Friday this week, so check back. I might have a tip that can help 🙂
This is fascinating, definitely requires more research when I have time. Thanks for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings
It is fun to learn about 🙂
I love fresh homemade kraut! I want to start fermenting other veggies!
I am totally in love with carrots.
Very interesting post! Thank you.
Thank you!
Nothing yet…something I would like to get into!
You will become hooked!
I have never fermented vegetable before. Would love to try making kimchee, though.
Once you start I bet you will be unable to stop 🙂
I would like to ferment a variety of vegetables: cabbages, green beans, carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower….
Carrots and cauliflower are awesome… oh and radishes too!!!
I'm just beginning to learn and can't wait to start getting the equipment together to try various ones.
I love the kits from Fermentools. They are seriously great quality and make the process soooo easy.
Can't wait to make saurkraut!
Then don't! LOL Get going!
never tried it but want to.
It's fun 🙂
I have never tried to ferment anything. I have been wanting to try it though.
Why wait, get going. Once you start, it is hard to stop LOL
We are working on making Hard Apple Cider and Mead right now, but would love to learn more about the whole process of fermenting.
Hubby homebrews and we are going to be making mead soon. My Uncle is a bee farmer and has some honey for us to use. I'm not a big drinker but my hubby was super excited when my Uncle offered the honey LOL
I want to try jalapeños
You are a braver person then I!!!!
I have done kraut, but I would like to try kefir and kombucha. Looks like a lot of work though…
I tried kefir, I stunk at it LOL
i haven't fermented before but I'd like to try kim chi
You so can make it!
I have fermented: kombucha, banana peppers, carrots, sauerkraut, dill pickles, hard cider, and mead.
I would love to try kefir, dill pickles (didn't like the last batch) and it would be cool to make my own cider vinegar.
Cider vinegar is on my list too do too. But all my jars (like 7) are full and taking up a whole shelf in the fridge LOL So I have to wait.
I have done dill pickles but would love to try kraut
It is soooo easy to make kraut, seriously
I've made fermented pickles but they were a little too mushy for my liking :/
I have a tip for you on tomorrow's Fermentation Friday post *wink* Well if I ever finish writing it! LOL The country kids have been battling stomach bugs since Thanksgiving….. it ain't pretty…..
cabbage
You have or want too?
My coworker talked me out of doing this, but this post has inspired me once again!! YUM sauerkraut is my fave. And so good for the belly!
Tell your coworker to sit down, shut up and open wide! LOL We will get him or her on board too! LOL
Pick me, I will take it
LOL
does the salt content effect blood pressure?
The salt makes the brine and draws moisture from the food…. it doesn't really effect the food that much. If you have medical concerns, I would ask your dr.
would love to try to make kimchi!
The do it! Don't wait, start yesterday, you can do it!!!
I'd love to be able to (successfully!) ferment any type of veggies.
I'll help ya *wink*
I'm not sure if I've commented on this post or not yet, (I think I have twice) but I love the taste of kimchee & fermented veggies!! I'm currently reading the book Fermented Vegetables by Kristen K. Shockey & Christopher Shockey. Trying to glean as much as I can!!
Reading up is awesome, but trial end error give you great insight into what works and doesn't work for you!
Interesting!! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Hope you make some and gobble them up!