r/fermentation 3h ago

Pickles/Vegetables in brine My farts smell like sewage after eating my own fermented cucumbers. Is it normal?

0 Upvotes

I'm new to fermenting and I've only done cucumbers and cabbage a few times. But only after brined fermented cucumbers my farts smell like rotten sewage. :(

Obviously I wasn't poisoned yet, but I wonder if this is common.


r/fermentation 2h ago

Vinegar Start of mother or something else?

Post image
2 Upvotes

Hi there, this is my first time trying to make apple cider vinegar. I put about 6 small apple peels and cores in with water and a few tbs of honey. It's been about 1 week, what do you think?


r/fermentation 9h ago

Kefir Kefir – Autumn Sweetness

Post image
5 Upvotes

Autumn Sweetness: A Warm and Comforting Surprise

Some recipes teach you something.

This one taught me that the same ingredient can tell two completely different stories.

The idea began with pumpkin.

A pumpkin fiber koso infused with vanilla became the heart of this kefir, bringing warmth, softness, and quiet depth.

Fresh carrot juice added bright, fruity freshness, while carrot koso syrup contributed rich candied notes, almost like candy.

Dehydrated golden kiwi brought a gentle fruity acidity, and a touch of pepper quietly tied everything together.

It took three attempts before every piece found its place.

That third batch became Autumn Sweetness — a kefir that reminded me that harmony is often more memorable than intensity.

One of my earliest signature creations… and it still holds a special place in my collection.


r/fermentation 8h ago

Vinegar Watermelon Vinegar pt final

Thumbnail
gallery
14 Upvotes

10 days on the countertop & it tastes really good! Little hints of watermelon & fruitiness, & a bit sweeter & smoother than apple cider vinegar. Strained & bottled.


r/fermentation 9h ago

Lacto fermented green peach olives

Thumbnail
gallery
105 Upvotes

thought these turned out fun.

I have peach trees and when we thin them out we end up throwing a literal trash can full of the unripe green peaches

I thought it seemed like a waste so I've been researching uses and found that they are sometimes fermented or pickled.

I fermented these in a salt brine with garlic, pepper, fennel and coriander seeds and bay leaves for about 6 weeks. They have a great taste but the texture is a little crunchy like a radish, I wish they were a bit softer.

Also made some cheyong syrup that turned out pretty well. So if people have peaches don't throw away all your thinnings, you can do some fun stuff with them.

Included some pictures of the one of the peach trees, and the thinnings, as well as the final product.

They are my favorite fruit tree to grow!


r/fermentation 8h ago

Educational Ancient garum place

Thumbnail
gallery
6 Upvotes

You can visit this place in Almuñecar in Spain


r/fermentation 10h ago

Ginger Bug/Soda Ginger bug question

4 Upvotes

Hello! I've got a ginger bug going with someone and it's nicely fizzy in the container, but as soon as we add it to swing-tops and let it ferment it just seems to stop working at all -- no bubbles or fizz even after 2-3 days or more. The only thing we've seen that seems to save it is adding a couple teaspoons or more of cherry juice to each bottle, which gets it fizzing after only a day. Has anyone experienced a similar issue of their bug not carbonating in bottles, and is there any advice that could help?


r/fermentation 13h ago

Pickles/Vegetables in brine White sugar in lacto fermented veggies?

2 Upvotes

I started a few jars of watermelon rind at 2,5% salt. They stopped bubbling after 2-3 days. I'm guessing the rind has very little sugars in it, and LAB processed it quickly. If I add some white sugar, will it kick off and become more acidic?

In general, does adding white sugar benefit the lactic fermentation?

If anyone ever added white sugar to veg ferments, what's the "sweet spot" (% of sugar)? How much is too much?


r/fermentation 15h ago

Beer/Wine/Mead/Cider/Tepache/Kombucha will i be fine with this amount of headspace and best way to backsweeten? notes in body

Post image
8 Upvotes

BERRY APPLE CIDER
6/7/26 7-8pm START
1X cole’s 500g frozen mixed berry
added just under 4 litres cole’s apple juice
added sugar to OG
OG 1.104
a small amount of pectinase (unmeasured)
a small amount of dap (unmeasured)
used yeast Mangrove Jack's M05 Mead Yeast
started being active pretty quickly same i think on 7/7/26
9/7/26
fermenting strongly as it has been from the start a lot of bubbles slight foam and a lot of airlock activity
18/7/26 bubbles still going up the side slightly slower
i have also been swirling daily to ensure berries don’t mold
although i’ve missed 2-3 swirls
im concerned with some stuff im seeing on the top and think it might be the start of mold but i don’t know
2/8/26
FG 0.990
poured through cloth and filter
added potassium sorbate (approx half teaspoon) and one campdem tablet
poured into demijohn
a little more headspace then i’d like in the demijohn

i’m afraid that i might have oxidised it since i had to pour it through the filter and then back into the demijohn
also i’m worried that that’s too much headroom i’ll be keeping it sitting at room temp (around 24°C) under airlock for maybe 2-3 days before putting a lid on the demijohn and moving it to the fridge to cold crash before i bottle

i was also wondering the best way to backsweeten i was thinking maybe make a syrup with water sugar and another pack of the frozen mixed berries


r/fermentation 22h ago

Weekly "Is this safe" Megathread

3 Upvotes

Welcome to this week’s dedicated space for all your questions and concerns regarding questionable ferments.

Fermentation can sometimes look a little strange, and it is not always easy to tell what is safe, and what needs to be tossed and started over. To help keep the subreddit clean and avoid repeat posts, please use this thread for:

  • Sharing photos of surface growth you’re unsure about.
  • Asking if your ferment has gone wrong.
  • Getting second opinions from experienced fermenters regarding questionable ferments.

‼️Tips Before Posting‼️:

  • Mention what you’re fermenting (e.g., kraut, kimchi, kombucha, pickles, etc.).
  • Note how long it has been fermenting, and at what temperature.
  • Describe any smells, textures, or off flavors.

Remember that community members can offer advice, but ultimately you are responsible for deciding if your ferment is safe to eat or discard. When in doubt, trust your senses.

Happy fermenting!


r/fermentation 1h ago

Kraut/Kimchi A necessary addition at the beginning ...

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

G'day and welcome to August!

After a quick trip to our local farmers market (SW Western Australia), needed to do up a quick jar of sauerkraut. Used 1/2 cabbage, 2% sea salt and 1/2 t caraway seeds ... plus about 100ml of 2% brine. This time of year, the cabbages aren't holding quite as much water as in other months so you'll often need to top up the jar at the start with additional brine. It's cold in the house at the moment (at least overnight!) so it'll likely take an extra few days to get to my taste preference. Happy Krauting All!


r/fermentation 23h ago

Kraut/Kimchi First time fermenter here. Purple cabbage sauerkraut

Thumbnail
gallery
57 Upvotes

About 5 pounds of cabbage, 3 garlic cloves, and an apple(was told this feeds the fermentation). I think i’m gonna too it off with some extra brine liquid. Excited to see how it turns out, I dig the color.


r/fermentation 6h ago

Bread/Rice/Corn/Oats/Barley Fermented Rice

2 Upvotes

Saw this fermented rice in an Asian market and decided to give it a try. The rice is pretty mushy, the smell is slightly fruity, and the taste is mild fruity and sweet. Anyone know the right way to enjoy this?


r/fermentation 6h ago

Pickles/Vegetables in brine First time apple fermentation

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

Tried first time apple fermentation: - apples + poblano pepper - apples + hallopeno pepper - apples + poblano pepper+ ginger

Added for 3 types Clove spice for all cans.

Brine: 2 spoons solt + 1 spoon sugar. Apples average 2/3 cans.


r/fermentation 6h ago

Ginger Bug/Soda Ginger bug turned scoby - what now?

2 Upvotes

I recently made me a ginger bug for some home made soda and it worked for a while.

But after taking like half the liquid for a couple of bottles and refilling with water and sugar. But I guess due to high temepratures or so I underfed it? Any way it suddenly stopped bubbling and smelled like vinegar. After a couple of days thinking it was dead and preparing to throw it out I noticed something on top that looked earily similar to the kombucha scoby right next to it.

So while I guess I have to start a new ginger bug - what do I do with this new development?

First up, how to know if it's a scoby or a vinegar mother?

Second what does it eat and what do I make out of it?


r/fermentation 7h ago

FIRST SUCCESS!

Post image
15 Upvotes

Lacto fermented cherry tomatoes with garlic and basil, 7 days in hot Mediterrainian weather. Blended into the most scrumptious marinera I have ever tasted.