Fermentation Basics

"Probiotics are essential to basic human nutrition, they provide multiple benefits for your immune system. When probiotics are abundant in your body, it’s harder for bacteria that cause illness to get a foothold. Some also keep you healthy by making bacteriocins, which suppress the growth of harmful bacteria. Sources of probiotics include eating fermented foods like Brewer’s yeast, miso, and sauerkraut." The Dr. Oz Show

Fermentation is one of the oldest methods of preserving foods, it has been widely used in Northern European and Asian countries for centuries. The benefit of fermented food is that it contains probiotics (from pro and biota, meaning “for life”). The health benefit of eating fermented foods has been documented in medical studies worldwide.

We will begin with simple fermentation techniques used in making sauerkraut, a staple in many European cultures.

Next in our foray in fermentation is Kimchi, Korea’s national dish, comprised of Bok Choy, radishes, assorted vegetables and spices.