Fermented foods have been a favorite for health seekers for thousands of years. As it turns out, these days, more and more people are adding fermented foods to their daily nutrition.
Ancient Traditions For Modern Times
Ancient ancestors from all over the world have turned to fermenting food. Chinese workers building the Great Wall ate fermented vegetables approximately 5,000 years ago. Romans and Greeks fermented fish to create a condiment sauce, similar to ones used today.
Korean cuisine includes a long-held tradition of fermenting cabbage into kimchi. Japanese chefs transform vegetables into pickles, and soybeans into miso, tempeh, natto, tamari ,and soy sauce. Kombuchu, a fermentation from black tea is a popular beverage around the world.
Today, fermented foods today make up about one-third of what people eat, worldwide. As we honor ancestral knowledge, we want to get familiar with these remarkable traditions for culinary transformation.
Good Tastes Come with Great Benefits
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that fermenting is not just done for convenience and to extend longevity of food supplies. Fermentation increases levels of nutrients such as zinc, magnesium and vitamin B. It also has been shown to reduce unwanted natural toxins in foods.
Anecdotally, many people are finding that eating fermented foods aids digestion, helps reduce blood pressure, and lower cholesterol. Fermented foods are being researched for their beneficial effects on immunity, cancer prevention, and brain function.
In a Journal of Medicinal Foods study, participants who ate kimchi experienced reductions in blood pressure and improvements in blood sugar control. Participants who consumed higher amounts of kimchi showed greater improvement.
Fermented foods have been the subject of further research for lowering the risk of eczema.
So, with that as a stage set, let’s talk about the top options for great taste and great health benefits.
Snacky-Salty Chips
Say goodbye to potato chips. Get a salty fix without the carbs. Sounds great right? If you’re looking for a way to have some salt on the go, without packing on the pounds, check out pickle chips. These gourmet pickles come in a handy package so you can pack them into lunches, road trips, and any time you want fermentation-on-the-go.
Old Fashioned Pickles
Want to bite into a dose of fermented goodness? That’s what you’ll get with a jar of crunchy pickles. Take your pick of dill, super dill, or bread-and-butter style.
When I was growing up, the local corner store carried pickles in a barrel. It was on my route as a way home from school. I remember counting my pennies so I could grab a pickle for the walk home. It never failed to give me an upbeat and happy feeling.
If having a pickle is so much fun, it’s no wonder people are turning to pickles for a mid-morning lift, an afternoon snack, or an evening treat.
Spicy Kimchi
With all the health benefits in kimchi, more people are experimenting with this delicious cabbage dish. Try out different varieties to find the one that works for your palate.
Especially experiment with adding kimchi to dishes you’re already making. My favorite is a bowl of brown rice, steamed vegetables, tofu, all topped off with kimchi. It’s beyond delicious.
Kombucha
Check out your local grocery store, health food store, and even local corner store. You’ll find a huge selection of Kombucha, with new flavors popping up just about every week. Whether you like the original pure without flavors, or a fruit infusion of raspberry, orange, or lemon
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