I love food. Making it, reading about it, eating it...
I think I’m a pretty decent cook but nothing has captured my attention the way that fermenting and pickling has, and this is how we got here!
What started many years ago as an interest in gut health has morphed into something that I now live and breath. The benefits go way beyond what I ever expected when I got started all those years ago!
So here are my biggest reasons to start Fermenting & Pickling..
1. To reduce food waste and help the planet
Fermenting & Pickling are both preservation techniques - you can extend the life of your food and prevent it from ending up in landfill.
8% of greenhouse gas emissions are produced by food waste, it is a BIG global problem. While much of this does happen before it gets to us, 34% is wasted at home.
For more information about food waste in Australia I highly recommend checking out the organisation Ozharvest (www.ozharvest.org).
I also love the Wasted! The Story of Food Waste Documentary. It was one of the late Anthony Bourdain's final projects and as such hasn’t had the coverage I believe it deserves.
2. Because its cost effective
If you’re wasting less, you don’t need to buy as much! Simple really!
It is always best to go for seasonal produce especially when preserving - that way you get your favourite foods year-round while buying at the lowest price point.
Eating seasonally is almost always cheaper because you’re buying what is local to you. So avoid paying a premium for those lemons from California when they aren’t in season.
If you're lucky, your local grocer might even have a clearance section for those slightly bruised fruit, or close-to-use-by veggies. I often buy from here - so long as they aren't mouldy I use what is good and the rest ends up in the worm farm or compost!
While there are sure to be some great local producers of fermented and pickled goods near to you, it is even more cost effective to make your own (as little as a dollar per kilo for sauerkraut!).
3. For your health
Fermenting foods actually boosts their nutritional value, while giving you a dose of live healthy probiotics. They’ve been found to have a positive effect on gut health and the immune system in particular, as well as having a positive impact on well-being!
4. Because it’s delicious
Whether you are a bit of a food-nerd or just love experimenting, fermenting and pickling food has tasty rewards for your effort.
There is nothing quite like the flavor of fermentation, that typical sour/acidic taste is totally addictive. Plus, there’s really no end to what you can make.
I love the flexibility that goes with pickling - some vinegar, salt, sugar and a few spices is all it takes to make something tasty!
5. Because it's actually really simple!
With all this talk of microorganisms, gut health and probiotics, it is very easy to assume that fermenting at home is difficult. It really isn't!
The beauty of it is that the “bugs” do all the work - we are just making a comfortable home for them to thrive and multiply. Pickling is even easier!
My biggest goal in sharing my recipes and all I know is that you feel empowered to try it for yourself. Once you start there’s no going back!
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