Fermentation is a technique for preserving food. It helps the food to last for longer while maintaining its nutrition. Yogurt, wine, and cheese make for among the most commonly fermented foods daily.
Nowadays, individuals are becoming more and more health conscious, exploring healthy alternatives to junk food. Fermented vegetables are a great option for side dishes, condiments, and probiotic-rich snacks. Eating fermented vegetables has many health benefits, like it increases digestibility, improves your skin, and may help the body fight diseases.
How Fermented Vegetables Are Becoming A New Preferable Food
Due to the benefits and tangy taste, fermented vegetables are slipping into people's daily lifestyles. We will take you on a short ride to discover how fermented vegetables have now become not only part of the kitchen but the daily eating habits of many of us.
As A Snack:-
Chips, burgers, and pizza are some of the top contenders for snack time. However, they are not a suitable option if you want to opt for a more healthy version. Many of us out there try to stick to the vegetable salad as a snack, but let's admit raw vegetables are not much fun to eat.
You can choose fermented foods as a replacement for raw vegetables and junk food, both. Making your fermented vegetables or sticking to an online fermented food store like the Garden Goddess will keep your snack stock always filled, and every afternoon, you can have lacto-fermented vegetables, taking your taste buds on another journey.
As A Side Dish:-
Have you heard about Kimchi, a prominent food in Korean culture? It's almost part of every meal in a Korean's life. Some experts believe the reason behind the Korean people's glass skin is the Kimchi. Not for a surprise, Kimchi is a fermented food made from cabbage. Koreans have been eating Kimchi for centuries. It is full of beta-carotene and other antioxidant compounds, helping reduce the risk of serious health conditions like stroke, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Just like the Kimchi, you can find several other fermented foods like fermented garlic paste, cabbage stew, and radish stew. Adding these foods to any of your meals can save your gut bacteria from junk torture and improve your overall health from head to toe.
As A Beverage:-
If you have been looking for a way to dump the soft drinks, there you have it. Vegetables like Beetroots can be used to make fermented drinks. You can make it at your home or subscribe to the Garden Goddess, an online store offering a range of fermented food. Their drink, BeetKvass, is a fermented beverage full of probiotics, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents.
If, in case, you are facing issues with digestion, mental clarity, and sugar cravings, this drink can help you. Also, it is a naturally hydrating drink helping people boost their physical stamina. Two ounces a day, and you're on your way to better digestion and enriched overall health. On top of it, it can also work as a mini meal to satisfy your hunger for some time more. With the Garden Goddess, you can subscribe to this drink so that you never have to wait to feel the goodness of the beet.
Benefits Of Eating Fermented Vegetables
Now that you know how you can add fermented vegetables to your life, let's delve into their benefits and learn how they can enhance your mood and overall health.
Make Your Gut Bacteria Happy:-
Vegetables become more digestible in fermented forms because the bacteria present in them act as an ally to our digestive system. The bacteria present in fermented foods pre-digest the food and make it easily digestible. The body only has to soak the energies out of food rather than spending time breaking it.
Higher Nutritional Content:-
Fermentation increases the nutritional value of the food along with its enzyme concentration. Also, it eliminates any toxic contents present in the food. Eating fermented foods in addition to your meal helps your body absorb the highest nutritional content.
Safe Way To Preserve The Food:-
Fermented food is much safer to contain than raw food for two reasons. First, the fermented content doesn't lose its nutritional value, and second, it lasts for a long time. Also, there are a large number of vegetables that you can preserve easily by fermentation.
Boost your immune system:-
Bacteria that live in our gut system have a significant impact on our immune system. Due to their high probiotic content, fermented vegetables boost the immune system and lower the risk of infections like viral colds.
Wrapping Up!
When included in the daily diet, fermented vegetables can do miracles. While you can prepare them at home, Garden Goddess can also deliver the fermented foot right to your home. We leave the option to you. Thank you for reading this guide. We hope you have liked reading it!
FAQ
What are fermented vegetables?
Fermented vegetables undergo a process called Lacto-fermentation. During this process, the bacteria convert the natural sugars in the vegetable into lactic acid. This results in a tangy, flavorful, and slightly sour product rich in probiotics and other beneficial compounds.
Why should I eat fermented vegetables?
Fermented vegetables offer several health benefits. They are a great source of probiotics, promoting a healthy gut microbiome and aiding digestion. Fermentation also enhances the nutrient content of vegetables, making them more bioavailable.
Are fermented vegetables safe to eat?
Yes. The process of lacto-fermentation creates an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria. However, it's important to ensure cleanliness during preparation to avoid contamination. Use clean utensils, jars, and hands when handling the vegetables. If you see any signs of spoilage, such as mildew or an off smell, discard the batch.
Which vegetables can be fermented?
You can ferment a variety of vegetables. Some popular choices include cabbage (for sauerkraut and Kimchi), carrots, cucumbers (for pickles), radishes, beets, and peppers. You can also test with combinations of different vegetables to create unique flavors. Just make sure to use fresh, high-quality vegetables for the best results.