Making vinegar involves making use of lots of microorganisms including bacteria without which we would not have many of the foods we take for granted. These microorganisms consist of yeasts, fungus and bacteria and the processes that occur are called fermentation. At different stages in the production of vinegar, there are different organisms or bacteria …
A vinegar mother or mother of vinegar (MOV) is a gelatinous membrane called a biofilm that forms on top of a liquid being made into vinegar. It seems like a strange substance but it is completely natural and is actually a form of cellulose created by bacteria that produce acetic acid, the acid that is …
Refrigerator pickles or quick pickles as they are known interchangeably are a way of pickling vegetables in vinegar, sugar and water that acts as a short-term preservative and flavour enhancer. Whilst quick pickles like this will not last as long as canned or fermented pickles the vegetables you preserve will last longer and most importantly …
The term Koji refers to grains, usually rice, that has been inoculated with a fungus called Aspergillus oryzae. Koji is essential to the production of foods that are synonymous with japanese cooking and food production. The most recognisable product is soy sauce which is the result of fermentation of soya beans in brine with Aspergillus …
Making jam is a great way to preserve fruit, but once you have made it, just how long will homemade jam last? The shelf life of a jam is an approximation and can vary according to a couple of factors so if you want to learn more about what preserves a jam and how the …
Making beef jerky is simple enough but you have to follow a few simple rules. The cut of beef you choose to make jerky with can make a lot of difference to the finished product so it pays to think carefully about and keep an eye out for a few key attributes that will make …
Fermenting fruits and vegetables can seem like a mysterious process when you make your first attempts. There are all sorts of questions you ask yourself, “Is this right?”, “Should it smell like this?” and so on. When a weird layer of white film appears on the surface of your ferment most people chuck the whole …
Pickling with vinegar is a really simple and quick way to preserve foods. Choosing the right vinegar to use can easily transform a pickle and there are plenty to choose from on the market so how do you decide which vinegar to use. In this article, we will look at what is required of a …
It is human nature to define things we come into contact with, it seems like everyone know what a pickle is but how do we define a pickle exactly. At its most basic a pickle is any food that preserved with an acid. This can include: Dill pickles Pickled onions Chutney Sauerkraut Relish amongst many …
Dehydrating apples is really simple and they make a great snack. Drying apples concentrate the flavours and the sugars making them taste almost like sweets. There is no added sugar of course so they are just as healthy as eating a fresh apple. You can use a food dehydrator or a regular fan oven to …