Not only are fermented foods yummy – who doesn’t love a slice of great sourdough bread? – though many people claim that they hold a range of health benefits, as well. Fermented foods contain probiotics, that can help maintain a healthy balance in your digestive tract and even boost your immunity to common illnesses. Nevertheless, the process of preparing your own fermented foods can seem daunting, especially if you’ve never tried it before. At the same time, buying fermented foods at local health food stores can be expensive. The good news is that making yogurt, kombucha, sourdough bread, and other fermented foods can be both easy and a fantastic way to save money. Here are a few easy fermented foods to get you started.
Yogurt. Making yogurt is one of those things that sounds difficult but isn’t. In fact, you can make delicious coconut yogurt with just coconut milk and a probiotic capsule. Simply mix the two ingredients, cover with a cheesecloth, and let sit for 24 to 48 hours. Once the yogurt has activated, refrigerate and appreciate!
Kombucha. Working with the bacteria cultures needed to achieve the end result of this fizzy drink can be scary. But it’s really a very simple process. A basic kombucha is made from water, sugar, black or green tea, and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), also known as the “mother.” You can also add other flavors, including fruit, honey, ginger, and more. To make kombucha, the ingredients are combined in a large glass jar and left to ferment for 7 to 10 days. The fermenting process creates the carbonation and flavor unique to kombucha beverages.
Sourdough bread. The key to a good sourdough bread is a sourdough starter. You can make your own, or get one from a grocery store or another sourdough enthusiast. Once you have a sourdough starter, you can keep and use it over and over again to make delicious homemade sourdough bread.
Fermented juice. Have you ever had a glass of wine or cider? Then chances are that you’ve already tried fermented juice. Apples, in particular, make a great-tasting fermented apple juice that is both easy and refreshing. Simply slice and juice enough apples to fill a glass jar, add some culture starter, seal tightly, let sit for about 3 days, and enjoy!
Sauerkraut. If you’re a fan of sauerkraut, it’s very easy to make your own. Simply pack cabbage, salt, and caraway seeds into a clean glass jar, seal, and let sit for 3 to 10 days. The best thing about sauerkraut is that it will keep well for several months once it’s ready.
Pickled vegetables. When you think of pickles, you probably think of the vinegar used to ferment them. But you don’t actually need lots of vinegar to pickle many different kinds of vegetables. Traditional Lacto-fermentation methods depend entirely on the beneficial bacteria in the vegetables themselves. Using this approach, you can pickle almost any vegetable, including carrots, radishes, and more!
Are you ready to start fermenting your own foods but lack kitchen space? Maybe it’s time to trade up to a bigger La Crescenta rental house! You can contact Real Property Management Vision or view our listings online.
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