There a few schools of thought when it comes to making vegetable ferments. One is to create an anaerobic environment using stronger seals or airlocks. Someday I plan to experiment with those, but for now, I don’t do that. The fermentation is taking place below the waterline. The worst thing that could happen is some surface mold, which I scrape away without concern.
The reason I don’t use a tight seal is that I want to taste my kimchi and sauerkraut throughout the ferment. The evolution of flavor will vary from ferment to ferment. This is a lesson I learned from Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Workshop DVD. I want to experience that transition and stop the ferment when I believe the flavor has peaked. Those using tight seal systems don’t get that experience and have to guess when the flavor is optimal. Either that or they are continually breaking the seal.
You will get much better much faster at fermentation if you taste as you go. That includes trying the ferment in its raw state before jarring, especially when trying a new recipe. The saltiness will mellow a little during the ferment, but you can get a good idea if you need to make a change before you jar.
Recently I made cucumber kimchi for the first time. By tasting it daily, I learned a lot about how the taste evolved. It turned out good. The next time I expect it to be even better.
J. Scott Shipman
Jun 29, 2012 — 12:00 pm
Hi Michael,
Another good post!
Could you post your cucumber recipe? I’ve seen varying accounts—the one time I tried it, the results weren’t great. I’ve had cucumber kimchi in Korea (they call it a variant of “summer kimchi) and it was delicious.
MAS
Jun 29, 2012 — 2:10 pm
@Scott – Thanks.
I still need to make the cucumber kimchi a few more times before I am ready to share a recipe. I would approach it just like regular kimchi, only without the cabbage. THis week I got sidetracked with daikon kimchi – which I over salted (yikes!) and a regular kimchi which I made too hot (double yikes!). The good news is I have a new Nappa Kimchi recipe that tastes wonderful that I will be sharing soon.
Scott Charles
Jul 1, 2012 — 12:34 pm
Interesting. I do that same thing with beer. Taste it as it develops during the fermentation, and in the bottle.
MAS
Jul 1, 2012 — 6:40 pm
@Scott – I remember beer. In some alternative universe I might have gotten into fermentation before I discovered my issues with gluten.
Scott Charles
Jul 1, 2012 — 7:03 pm
dude: you don’t get off that easy! GF beer! No gluten. But it may be that for some reason beer in any form is not part of your current diet, and I will respect that. Cheers.
MAS
Jul 1, 2012 — 7:13 pm
@Scott – Someday I might experiment. These days any alcohol seems to be kicking my ass. Even 1/2 a shot of gin can crush me for hours. I would like to be more resilient, so this is not an ideal situation.