Fermenting with Intent: Why You Should Ferment
By: Alyosha Perez
The yeast at the bottom of the warm bottle feeds on the sugar which releases more gas into the bottle, bubbles rise to the surface and fill the bottle with Carbon Dioxide. In two more days, the fermentation will be complete, a refreshing bottle of ginger beer will be left behind.
From kimchi to beer, fermentation is a chemical process that creates a variety of food and drink. Combined with a history that dates back thousands of years, fermentation is a food process that is unique. The reasons to argue why one should ferment are numerous. Everything from the taste, freedom to experiment and health benefits are compelling reasons. However, it is the process of fermentation that provides us with valuable lessons and the strongest ‘why?’.
All processes teach us something, fermenting teaches us to be more intentional. It demonstrates the virtue of patience, asks for our full attention, and gives us the satisfaction of tasting our own creation.
The Virtue of Patience
While instant foods save us time, we usually cannot see what transformation they undergo before they are packaged. Fermentation does not attempt to conceal itself but displays its transformation. You will see bumps form on a Brown Kombucha Scooby or hear a pop when you unscrew a jar of fermented honey garlic. Observing these fermenting microorganisms grow or bubble every day, accompanied with the changing smell, allows you to appreciate your own creation.
Patience is needed when fermenting, as disturbing the microorganisms too early will give you a poor-tasting food or drink. Waiting those few days or weeks will reward your patience as you witness its change, just like a plant growing, you will marvel about what has changed since you last stopped to look. You will long try your own creation, becoming curious about its taste, until that day where you pour yourself a cold ginger beer on a blistering day.
Your patience has a direct effect on your fermented creation. Waiting until the fermentation reaches its desired conditions will reward you with both a unique sight and delicious taste.
Attention to the Process
During fermentation, we depend on yeast and bacteria for chemical transformation. It is because of their natural processes that we can enjoy the result. However, yeast and bacteria also depend on us. Without proper care they will die. We must pay close attention when growing these microorganisms.
Everything from the temperature of the water in the recipe, the light in the environment to sanitizing equipment, influences these microorganisms and the result of the fermented creation. While they grow, one must check their creation daily to make sure no mold has grown, carbonation is being released from the bottle and no insects have gotten into the jar.
After consuming the fermented creation, one must properly clean the container used to host the microorganisms to avoid any contamination. Being attentive during the complete fermentation process is essential, yeast and bacteria are living organisms and need our help to thrive. As a reward for our care, they will give us delicious food and drink.
Pleasantly Surprised
Whether baking bread, cooking a new dish, or making a mixed cocktail, the feeling of finishing and tasting something of our own making is something distinct. Satisfaction comes not only from the taste, but by directly being rewarded for your time and work. Sharing your creation with others and having them enjoy what you made will add to this feeling of satisfaction.
Our actions have a direct influence on fermentation, and we experience that influence when tasting our creation. At a time when so much seems to be out of our control and we question the impact we have, fermentation reminds us of the important impact we have on its process. It leaves us pleasantly satisfied.
Intention & Fermentation
Fermentation should not be held higher than other food processes because of its taste or health benefits alone, but because it is a simple process that shows the value of intention. With only a few ingredients and a glass jar you can learn how to be more intentional.
Modern day convenience gives us more time by only showing us the results of a process, but covers our view of the process. Packaged food save us time on cooking and buying ingredients. However the process behind creating the packaged food is usually hidden from view. The journey then becomes forgotten and unimportant, as attention our only focuses on the result.
To care for the microorganisms and be patient while they work their magic, means that one must be present during the journey. The results while fermenting matter, however it is procedure before that is more important. We have a direct impact on what we ferment. If One is not present during this procedure, they will be disappointed with the bad taste or ugly mold. However, if they ferment with intent, they will be treated to something delicious and appreciate of the fermenting process