You have probably heard and read a lot about the health advantages of fermented foods and why they deserve top place in our diets. Whether it is kombucha, kimchi or sauerkraut, experts are constantly urging us to add them to our diet and boost our overall health and well-being.
But, do we know why fermented foods are so good for us? Do we know what fermentation actually is? Continue reading the article if you want to find out more!
Fermented Foods & the Process of Fermentation
A fermented food goes through a process known as lacto-fermentation. During this process, natural bacteria feed on the starch and sugar in the food and produce lactic acid. Fermentation also preserves the food and causes a creation of numerous probiotics (good bacteria), enzymes, and B vitamins.
By eating fermented foods, we boost the number of good bacteria or probiotics in the digestive system and help maintain optimal digestive health. The enzymes present in fermented foods enhance the body’s absorption of nutrients. It is also pivotal to note that probiotics are essential for the production of antibodies and a strong immunity that will ward off diseases. When talking about fermented foods, we cannot but mention ginger.
This is one of the most common ingredients in fermented foods because of its strong healing potential.
The Health Benefits of Ginger
- Relieves inflammation
- Fights off cancer and other diseases
- It possesses strong anti-inflammatory power
- It supplies your body with antioxidants
- Alleviates nausea
- Balances the blood sugar levels
- Decreases the risk of heart illness
- Regulates the cholesterol levels
Knowing the health advantages of fermented foods and ginger, in today’s article, we will present a recipe for homemade ginger bug. This mixture can help you add a probiotic boost to your ginger ale, root beer, fruit sodas, etc. The ingredients are affordable and the preparation is very simple.
Check it out below.
DIY Fermented Ginger Recipe
You will need:
Ginger root, peeled and sliced (the size depends on the jar you have)
1 tablespoon Sea salt
1 tablespoon Turmeric
Lemon Juice
Preparation: Put the ginger in water to soak for 15 minutes. Then, scrape the skin off with a spoon.
Then, add the lemon juice and make sure it covers the ginger completely. Next, add the turmeric and sea salt and wait until all is dissolved. Pour it all over the ginger in the jar and close it up air tight.
Leave it to ferment at room temperature for 2 weeks. To enjoy the benefits of the lacto fermentation, you should not cook them, but just serve them on the side of a dish.
DIY Ginger Bug Recipe
You will need:
3 cups of water, filtered
3 tsp of organic sugar
3 tsp of ginger, diced
More sugar and ginger for maintenance
A quart jar
Preparation: Put all of the ingredients in the jar and close it firmly. Shake it and leave it to ferment in a warm area for 24 hours. During the following week, every day, put 2 tsp of sugar and 2 tsp of diced ginger. Towards the end of the week, the liquid will start to bubble. When there are bubbles on the top of the blend, it is ready for use.
If you want to maintain the bug alive and to continue growing it, continue feeding it with ginger and sugar once per week (a tbsp of each). If you want to reactivate the bug for soda, bring it to room temperature and start feeding it on the daily.
Recipe for Cultured Soda
Combine ¼ cup of ginger bug and a quart of sweetened and flavored liquid. Transfer the content into a bottle and close it well. Ferment it for 2 to 3 days at room temperature.
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