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Random Q&A
Question:
I made 6 gallons of sauerkraut. Four days the top 2" layer was dry, limp cabbage which I threw out, then added brine. Should I continue to ferment this batch or start over. I don't want to get botulism.
Answer:
Your kraut should be fine if the vegetables stay submerged under a brine. Top it up with salt water if it dries out. Botulism is only a concern with canned foods as it needs vacuum conditions to proliferate, and especially does not like acidic environments like sauerkraut.
Fields of Plenty
The following are some interesting links to sources of further information on fermentation. This list is by no means comprehensive
Should you encounter other interesting websites relevant to fermentation, please email them to Sandorkraut.
From Homeland to New York, Pickles Keep Culture Alive
An article about pickles, fermentation, & keeping culture alive by Lisa Biagiotti and Lizzie Stark.
"Cultivating their fascination with fermentation"
June 7, 2009 article in the San Francisco Chronicle
"In Live Bacteria, Food Makers See a Bonanza"
New York Times article, January 22, 2007
A Brief History of Fermentation, East and West
By William Shurtleff and Akiko Aoyagi from their unpublished manuscript, History of Soybeans and Soyfoods: 1100 B.C. to the 1980s
A Brief Study of Plastic Food Containers
By mycologist and food investigator Alan Muskat
A cultured response to HIV
From Nature Medicine June 2009
College Fermentation Groups Slideshow
From the New York Times, November 1, 2009.
Cultivating Cultures: Exploring Fermented Foodways
Max Wall was awarded a fellowship to travel around the world for a year exploring fermentation traditions. This is his blog.
Cultures Alive
A source for kefir grains, water kefir grains, kombucha mothers, ad other food cultures. Located in Australia but able to ship many cultures abroad.
Cultures for Health
Starter cultures and fermentation supplies for sale
Database on Microbial Traditional Knowledge of India
Collected by Dr. S. Sekar of Bharathidasan University
Fermentation and Jewish Culture
From a blog called Old Growth Yiddishkeit
Fermenters Club
Fermenters Club is a community of food enthusiasts who share a love for traditionally-preserved, natural probiotic foods. Fermenters can participate locally and virtually.
G.E.M. Cultures
A small, family-run business with the best variety of food fermentation cultures available in the U.S., including kefir grains, koji, kombucha mothers, tempeh starter, and more obscure cultures such as Viili and Fil Mjolk.
Gut Microflora: The Inside Story
From the European Food Information Council
Institute for Urban Homesteading
Bay Area classes in gardening, permaculture, kitchen arts, herbal medicines, creative arts and the body. "A gathering place to research, ferment and learn together. We feature small class sizes and experiential learning."
Lacto-Fermentation
From the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Lactobacillus
Information on this health-promoting microorganism from the Virtual Bacteria Museum.
MicroAngela
Gallery of electron microscopy images, including bacteria and other fermentation organisms.
Microbes.info
"The microbiology information portal" including food microbiology links.
Microbial Nutrition
Yahoo group devoted to "fermented foods, probiotics, and gut health."
Nick's Natural Nook
Cultures, including various yogurts, kefir, water kefir, kombucha, and others online via ebay.
PROYECTO COMUNITARIO CONSERVACIÓN DE ALIMENTOS
Cuban food preservation school in a Havana storefront.
Punk Domestics
Instructional videos and blogs covering homebrewing, cheesemaking, winemaking, pickling, salumi & charcuterie, and more!
Questions and Answers about Lead in Ceramic Tableware
From Contra Costa (CA) Health Services / Lead Poisoning Prevention Project
Rebecca Auclair - Vermont Fermentation Adventures
Fermentation experimentalist Beki Auclair blogging about her adventures.
The Economics of Fermentation
An essay by Charles Eisenstein, which originally appeared in Wise Traditions Magazine.
The Gordon Lab
The home page of Jeffrey Gordon, Director of Wasington University's Center for Genome Sciences, who begins the page: "Symbiotic or mutually beneficial relationships between microbes and animals are a dominant theme of life on our microbe-dominated planet.
The Sounds of Yeast
An NPR report on new research which has yielded recordings of the sounds of yeast reproducing at different temperatures.
Tribe.net Fermentation Tribes
Other related tribes include Food Traditions and Food Rituals tribe http://tribes.tribe.net/foodtraditions; Food geeks http://foodgeeks.tribe.net; Sauerkraut http://sauerkrautsluts.tribe.net/.
USDA Culture Collection
The Collection is one of the largest public collections of microorganisms in the world, currently containing approximately 95,000 strains of actinomycetes, bacteria, molds, and yeasts.
Wild Fermentation Google Group
A web-based group about wild fermentation, started by Jay Bazuzi
Yemoos Nourishing Cultures
Kefir grains, water kefir grains, kombucha mothers, and other cultures, as well as information, a forum, and lots of links.
Charlotte O'Neil's wild yeast experiments
Side-by-side experiments with several different types of starters.
Enlightenment Wines Community Supported Alcohol
A unique model of artisinal alcohol production and distribution in New York.
Grandiose Survey of Chinese Alcoholic Drinks and Beverages
Quite a lot of information! Written by Xu Gan Rong & Bao Tong Fa
Making Simple Fermented Beverages
By E. Chris Garrison, very simple and straightforward.
Planet Beer Recipes
Links, Recipes, and an online beer and wine supply store
Beer
Bathtub Brewers
Virtual homebrew club, with lots of links.
Beertown
Homebrew information and resources from the Association of Brewers.
Brew Rats
Another virtual homebrew club, with recipes and chatroom.
Cyberbrau
Beer recipes and forums.
Google Web Directory for Home Brewing
North American Homebrew Clubs Directory
From Beerdude.com.
Tasty Brew
Home beermaking recipes and lots of links.
The Mad Fermentationist
Michael Tonsmeire blogs about sour beers and more. Lots of info, recipes, book reviews.
Valley Malt
Small Massachusetts malt house, trying to revive local malting to supply brewers in the area with malt from locally-grown barley and wheat.
Mead
All About Tej
By Harry Kloman of the University of Pittsburgh.
Google Web Directory for Mead
Got Mead?
Recipes and incredible mead links.
Mead Made Easy
A book of mead-making instructions and recipes by Dave Polaschek available in its entirety free online.
The Bee's Lees
Mead recipes.
Rice-based Beverages
Home Brew Sake
Excellent free recipes, videos, information, and supplies.
Homebrewers Guide to Makgeolli, a Korean Rice Ferment
Makgeolli is a Korean Rice Ferment
How to Homebrew Saké
Sake Beginner's Recipe
Sake World Homepage
Taylor-MadeAK - Brewing Sake
Information Resource for Homebrewing Sake
Wine
Army Worm Wine
I swear you can make wine out of anything.
Google Web Directory for Home Winemaking
History of Wine Online Resources
A portal with lots of interesting links.
Making Table Wine at Home
A 1988 book by George M. Cooke and James T. Lapsley, available online in its entirety.
Origins and Ancient History of Wine
From the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
The Home Winemaker's Manual
Extensive information free online from Lum Eisenman.
The Winemaking Homepage
By Texan Jack Keller. Lots of recipes and links.
Wine and Health
From Wineclub.org
Betsy’s Tempeh Foundation
A former commercial tempeh producer details incubation chamber technology.
Dom's Cultured Foods of Asia in-site
Dominic Anfiteatro, of Adelaide, Australia, has posted a wealth of information about tempeh, miso, amazake, and other traditional Asian ferments.
Efficient Tempeh Making with Manfred
Detailed tempeh-making instructions.
How I Make Tempeh
Tempeh-making explained and photographed by a fellow named Peter Vachuska
John Parker the Tempeh Man
A video profile of home tempeh producer John Parker in Brooklyn, NY.
Natto King
Great natto-making directions and info.
Rhapsody Tempeh
Montpelier, VT producer of tempeh and amazake.
South River Miso Company
A good source for koji (rice inoculated with spores of the fungus Aspergillus oryzae).
Tempeh Info
Good online tempeh-making instructions from a Belgian firm selling tempeh starter.
Tempeh Online
Tempeh starter and related resources.
Tempeh: The Soyfood With Culture
Lagusta's Excellent Tempeh-Making Details with Clear Photos
The Tempeh Shop
Fresh tempeh made in Gainesville, FL.
Counter Culture Pottery
Sarah Kersten's handmade water-lock Harsch-style crocks.
Fermenting Crock - Ogusky Ceramics
For the folks that love to ferment sauerkraut, kimchee or pickled vegetables at home, this 7
Handmade Ceramic Crocks
My friend and neighbor Amy Potter makes these with an inner lid to sit on kraut and outer lid to keep out flies. Excellent design. Beautiful too.
Handmade Ceramic Crocks by Peter Adams
In Sonoma County, California.
Handmade Ceramic Pickling Crocks
By potter and pickler Robbie Heidinger in Westhampton, Massachusetts.
Handmade Stoneware Fermentation Vessels
From Canadian artist Isidora Spielmann
Korean Onggi Crock Making
Potter Adam Feld documented his apprenticeship with a Korean Onggi maker; click on
KrautPounder.com
A wooden tamping tool created by the Eugene, OR chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation, as well as other related resources.
Magnitude Sirius - Ceramic Fermentation Crocks & more
FERMENTATION CROCKS – MADE BY HAND -
Pickl-It
A clever design for fermenting vegetables protected from air exposure.
Pickle Perfect Jar Weights
Glass canning jar weights especially for use in lacto fermented preserving in a jar .
REN BOURS CERAMICS AGENCY
REN BOURS CERAMICS AGENCY IS A DUTCH IMPORT AND EXPORT COMPANY SPECIALIZED IN KITCHEN CERAMICS AND BASIC KITCHEN SUPPLIES. Fermenting Crocks are beautifully crafted stoneware pots which produce delicious pickled vegetables in just 4-6 weeks from cabbages
American Cheese Society
Raw cheese advocacy.
Campaign for Raw Milk
A state-by-state listing compiled by the Campaign for Raw Milk, a project of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Cheese By Hand
Michael Claypool and Sasha Davies "explore the landscape of artisan (hand-made) cheesemaking in the United States."
Cheese Wire
The American Cheese Society's "online community of cheese industry professionals."
Cheese: Development of structure
A very informative site with electron microscopy, by M. Kaleb.
Cheeseforum.org
Cheesemaking
Detailed instructions for basic cheesemaking, as well as yogurt, buttermilk, and various other ferments, posted by Clermont College Biology and Chemistry Professor David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D.
Culture: the word on cheese
Culture: the word on cheese is the premier cheese magazine. Learn about cheese, try new recipes, discover artisan cheesemakers, find a cheese retailer
Dom's Kefir in-site (CAUTION!)
Dominic Anfiteatro, of Adelaide, Australia, is a veritable kefir encyclopedia. CAUTION ADVISED in ordering cultures from this site as I have had several communications from people who never received orders for which they paid.
Fankhauser's Cheese Page
Detailed instructions for basic cheesemaking, as well as yogurt, buttermilk, and various other ferments, posted by Clermont College Biology and Chemistry Professor David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D.
Gamalost, a traditional Norwegian cheese
Lore and links related to Norwegian gamalost.
Google Web Directory for Cheesemaking
Greg's Grains
Another kefir-making e-group.
Homemade Yogurt
Yogurt-making instructional videos.
Kefir Grain Trading Post
A registry of kefir enthusiasts with extra grains to share.
Kefir-Kombucha Google Group
A discussion group for the ancient probiotic cultures made up of assorted yeasts and bacterium known as 'kefir' and 'kombucha'.
New England Cheesemaking Supply Company
A good source for rennet, specific cheese cultures, cheesemaking books, equipment, supplies, and links.
NY Times: "They Do the Work, You Reap the Yogurt"
Harold McGee on yogurt in the New York Times, April 2009
POST-PASTEURIAN CULTURES: The Microbiopolitics of Raw-Milk Cheese in the United States
A 2008 article by Heather Paxson from the journal Cultural Anthropology.
Raw Milk Cheesemakers' Association
"Preserving Tradition, Perfecting Craft"
Surprising Uses and Benefits of Yogurt
From Dr. Greene.com.
The technology of traditional milk products in developing countries
An information-packed report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
Why You Don’t Want to Drink Pasteurized Milk
By nutrition author Dr. Joseph Mercola.
Yahoo Kefir-Making E-group
The internet has brought together this e-group of kefir enthusiasts. Lots of great ideas for ways to use kefir cultures. I got my first kefir grains by posting a notice here.
YOGURT FOREVER : The Yogurt Encyclopaedia
By Roberto Flora, Translated into English by Fiammetta Cestaro
Yogurt-Making in Detail
From Ricki Carroll of New England Cheesemaking Supply Company
Lactic fermentations
(1-2 hours). Hands-on creation of beet kvass, kimchee, naturally brined pickles, saeurkraut and... ta da... kombucha!
Lisa's Counter Culture
Fermentation classes and more in Palo Alto, CA.
Lost Arts Kitchen
"Slow Food Traditions for Modern Life" in Portland, OR
Monthly Fermentaion Workshop in Seattle, WA
Get Schooled in Sauerkraut! Learn the history... understand the benefits... Experience how EASY & cost effective it is to make living, delicious, pro-biotic fermented foods
The School of Artisan Food
The School of Artisan Food, in England, "exists to teach all aspects of artisan food production," with short and year-long courses covering many realms of fermentation.
Weed Dance Farm
Fermentation, along with "Homesteading, Empowered Living, and Herbal Classes in the Wise Woman Tradition" near Kalamazoo, MI.
Art of Gluten-free Sourdough Baking
Sharon Kane's informative blog.
DanLepard.Com
A breadbaking portal site from Britain. "This web site is provided as an information resource for baker's large and small. Its aim is to encourage excellence in bread-making, and to provide a forum for expert debate."
Farm and Sparrow
Western NC Artisan Baker Dave Bauer's Website
Fermented Cereals: A Global Perspective
Agricultural Services Bulletin Number 138 from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Describes grain ferments from Africia, Asia, and Latin America.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sourdough Starter
FAQ about Sourdough Starters was compiled and written by Brian Dixon
Google Web Directory for Sourdough
Making Injera (Ethiopian Sourdough Pancakes)
Great recipe and discussion on Culinaria Eugenius.
Ovencrafters
Alan and Nick Scott's site for wood-fired brick oven builders & D.I.Y. oven plans
Rye Sourdough
A clear and concise method for all-rye sourdough.
Samartha's Sourdough Page
"This page has been started in order to provide a platform for easy access to my natural sourdough obsessions." (I can relate.)
Sourdough Daily
"Where you will learn how to make great sourdough bread everyday!"
Sourdough FAQs
From rec.food.sourdough.
Sourdough Home
Great resources and links.
The Fresh Loaf
An online community for amateur artisan bakers and bread enthusiasts.
Wild Sourdough
A website and book by Yoke Mardewi
Cured Meats: The Art and the Craft
Jason Molinari's blog documenting his meat-curing experiments.
FAO Report: Meat processing technology for small- to medium-scale producers
Lots of information, including some on meat fermentation.
How to make home made pastrami and corned beef
Great documentation including photos.
Making Salami and other Cured Meats
A non-commercial informational site posted by Len Poli of Sonoma, California.
Roman fish sauce - Garum or Liquamen
From Christianne Muusers' food blog Coquinaria.
SausageMaking.org Forum
Ginger Beer Plant
UK-based site with info on ginger beer plant, kefir, kombucha, and sourdough, and cultures for sale.
Kombucha
My Adventures with "the Blob"
A dissenting view on Kombucha from a prominent mycologist
Gunther Frank's Kombucha Site
A comprehensive multi-lingual kombucha information site, including an international kombucha mother trading post.
Kombucha Brewing Manual
Detailed kombucha info posted by Frantisek Apfelbeck, in a wiki format.
Kombucha Center
A Kombucha portal.
Kombucha Kamp
Kombucha info and resources from Hannah Crum, The Kombucha Mamma.
The Happy Herbalist's Kombucha Brewing Guide
Sodas
Ginger Ale
Lacto-fermented Ginger Ale
Recipe on instructables.com.
Root Beer
Instructions posted by Clermont College Biology and Chemistry Professor David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D.
Subcategories: Small Scale Producers
City Picklers
"Reviving local food, one pickle at a time."
Comparison of Vegetable Fermentation Methods
A look at the pros and cons of several different methods of fermenting vegetables.
Fascinating Pickle Facts
From The Science of Cooking at the Exploritorium.
FERMENTED FRUTIS AND VEGETABLES: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
1998 Report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
Fermenting Vegetables is Extremely Safe!
Audio interview with Sandorkraut explaining why botulism and other forms of food poisoning are not a concern when fermenting vegetables.
Get Cultured!
Probiotic Foods From the Nourished Kitchen
Pickle Primer
A Glossary of Pickles and Pickled Peppers from ilovepickles.org.
Pickle Wing
Posted by the New York Food Museum.
Raw Cultured Vegetables
An article by Evan Richards, from the Rejuvenative Foods website.
Sauerkraut the Greek Whey
An instructional how-to-make sauerkraut video by Terry J. Crebs
Sauerkraut Wrestling on You Tube
Men and women wrestling in SAUERKRAUT! From the Cabbage Chuck event in Shiocton, Wis.
The Science of Sauerkraut Fermentation
From a laboratory project in a University of Wisconsin Applied Food Microbiology class.
Vikraut & Vikimchi - The Cultural Revolution Among The Little People
By Viktoras Kulvinskas
Small Scale Producers
Artisanal Soy
Washington, DC-based makers of Edamame Kimchee. Yum!
Caldwell Bio Fermentation
Fermented vegetables from Quebec, as well as starter cultures.
Cultured Pickle Shop
Berkeley, California producer of fermented vegetables, innovative kombucha drinks, and more.
Cultured Probiotics
Fermented vegetables and more in London.
Esoteric Foods
Boulder, Colorado ferments.
Fab Ferments
Cincinnati, OH producers of cultured veggies, beet kvass, and kombucha
Farmer's Daughter
Carrboro, NC
Farmhouse Culture
Northern California. Try their excellent "Holy Smokes" kraut with smoked jalepenos.
Farmstead Ferments
Fermented vegetables and beverages from Dawn Story in the Virginia Piedmont.
Fizzeology
Mike, Lynn and August Bieser ferment veggies in SW Wisconsin.
Hawthorne Valley Farm
Sauerkraut Seth's ferments made on a Biodynamic farm in New York state's Hudson Valley.
It's Alive!
Cultured & living foods
Leelanau Cultured Vegetables
Traverse City, MI
McClure's Pickles
Two brothers, one in Brooklyn, the other in Detroit, fermenting pickles in both locations.
Olykraut
Olympia WA raw kraut for fermentation lovers.
Picklopolis
Portland, OR
Powerkraut
Made in Viroqua, Wisconsin
Real Pickles
Western Massachusetts
Spirit Creek Farm
Kraut and other ferments from Cornucopia, in Northern Wisconsin.
Straight from the Vine
Raw fermented vegetables (and other goodies) in Austin, TX
Suddenly Sauer
Detroit producer of fermented veggies, with classes as well.
The Brinery
Fermented vegetables in Ann Arbor, MI.
Two Chicks Farm
Farm grown and fermented vegetables in North Carolina.
Viable Cultures
Asheville, NC
Wild Rose Ranch
With four delicious flavors of fermented vegetables, our kraut makes the perfect condiment for any meal.
Wild West Ferments
Veggie ferments, natural sodas and more in Marin county, CA.
Zukay Live Foods
Live Fermented Salsas, Relishes, and Ketchup in Pennsylvania
How to Make Vinegar
From Vinegar Connoisseurs International.
Vinegar Institute
A vinegar manufacturers trade association, with info about different types of vinegar, health benefits, and references.