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5 Ways to Ferment Almost Anything with These Unique Shortcuts

Learn to mix and match ferments to create a successful fermentation!

October 7, 2020 By Mary's Nest Leave a Comment

5 Ways to Ferment Almost Anything with These Unique Shortcuts

Watch the Ferment Almost Anything video

Learn how to ferment almost anything with these five unique shortcuts for using one ferment to help jumpstart a totally different fermentation.

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Recommended Readings

*Affiliates note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My videos and blog posts may contain affiliate links to products and services. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.

Are You Having Trouble Fermenting?

In the world of ferments, there are all sorts of fermented foods you can make, including:

  • Cultured dairy
  • Sourdough starter
  • Fermented vegetables
  • Condiments
  • Beverages
  • And more!

But what do you do when you struggle with starting one or more of these fermentations? Well, I have good news! In my fermentation video, I show you some unique and creative ways to ferment almost anything.

When One Fermentation Is Thriving

When you struggle with getting one type of ferment going, the first thing you want to do is look around your kitchen and see if you have another fermentation that is thriving.

For example, might your kombucha be doing great, but your sourdough is struggling? If so, use some of your kombucha in place of water when you feed your starter. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the kombucha liquid will jumpstart your sourdough starter!

Is your ginger bug just not fizzy, but your sourdough starter is doing great? Dilute a bit of your sourdough starter with water and use that to feed your ginger bug. That “bug” will be bubbling away in no time!

As you mix and match your various fermentations to turn them into the thriving cultures that you’re hoping for, you’ll become a believer that you can ferment almost anything using one fermentation to help another.

Mary holding a jar with a Kombucha SCOBY.
  • Beginner’s Guide to Kombucha Making | How to Make Kombucha at Home
How to Make a Ginger Bug for Making Probiotic Rich Fermented Drinks Video
  • How to Make a Ginger Bug for Making Probiotic Rich Fermented Drinks
Complete Sourdough Starter Guide Recipe Video
  • The Complete Sourdough Starter Guide

But What If You Don’t Have a Thriving Fermentation?

But how do you get started helping one struggling ferment if you do not have any successful fermentations? There is an easy fix for this. You can purchase some plain yogurt at your grocery store—make sure it has “LIVE” cultures—and then strain it.

The liquid that strains off of the yogurt is called “whey.” This whey is rich in good bacteria, and it will help jumpstart fermentations, such as sourdough starter, as well as fermented vegetables, condiments, and beverages. As the Mandalorians say…”This is the Whey” to ferment almost anything! 😉

And here’s a little tip…before your strain off the whey, set aside a tablespoon of the yogurt to culture the milk in your fridge to turn it into yogurt. Once you start making your own yogurt, you’ll never have to buy it at the store again. Plus, you’ll have an unlimited supply of whey!

  • How to Make Whey and Five Ways to Use It
  • How to Make Homemade Yogurt – No Machine Required

More Fermentation Videos

Now that you know that you essentially can mix and match various ferments to keep the fermentations in your kitchen thriving and happy, be sure to explore these videos. You’ll become a champion vegetable fermenter in no time!

How to Make Sauerkraut video
  • How to Make Homemade Sauerkraut – A Delicious Probiotics Rich Side Dish for Gut Health
How to Ferment Vegetables Giardiniera Recipe Video
  • How to Make Fermented Giardiniera – Probiotic Rich Italian Pickle Relish
How to Ferment Pickles Recipe Video
  • How to Make CRISP Lacto Fermented Pickles – A Probiotic Rich Food
Probiotic Rich Fermented Carrots Recipe Video
  • How to Make Fermented Carrots – A Probiotic Rich Food for Gut Health
How to Make Beet Kvass YouTube Video
  • How to Make Beet Kvass – A Probiotic Rich Fermented Drink for Good Gut Health
Masontops Unboxing Review YouTube
  • Masontops Unboxing – Fermentation Made Easy

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I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!

Love,
Mary ♥

Shop for Items Mentioned in This Video

Favorite Fermentation Supplies

  • Half Gallon Canning Jars
  • 4-Ounce Jelly Jars
  • pH Strips
  • White Storage Lids
  • Masontops Complete Fermentation Kit (promo code below)
  • Silicone Pickle Pipes
  • Fermentation Glass Weights
  • Wooden Pickle Packer
  • Wooden Kraut Pounder

Use promo code MARYSNST for a one-time 15% off Masontops and Breadsmart products on Amazon.com.

Favorite Aprons

  • My Favorite Aprons on Amazon

Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide

  • Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
  • Visit my Shopping Guide page
    Learn where I buy my beef bones, electric grain mills, sprouted grains, and more…and get special discounts for Mary’s Nest visitors, including from US Wellness Meats, Mockmill, Masontops, and Cultures for Health.

Recommended Reading

  • Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods (2nd edition)
  • The Art of Fermentation: An In-Depth Exploration of Essential Concepts and Processes from around the World
  • Sourdough: Recipes for Rustic Fermented Breads, Sweets, Savories, and More
  • Fermented Vegetables: Creative Recipes for Fermenting 64 Vegetables & Herbs in Krauts, Kimchis, Brined Pickles, Chutneys, Relishes & Pastes
  • The Farmhouse Culture Guide to Fermenting: Crafting Live-Cultured Foods and Drinks with 100 Recipes from Kimchi to Kombucha
  • Traditionally Fermented Foods: Innovative Recipes and Old-Fashioned Techniques for Sustainable Eating
  • Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and Diet Dictocrats

**Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, including text, images, videos, eBooks or eGuides, social media, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched in a video or read on this website. Use caution when following the recipe in this video. The creator and publisher of this video and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this recipe and method or any other recipe and method on this website or corresponding video channel.

Filed Under: Fermentation, Fermentation Tips Tagged With: ferment, Fermentation, fermentation tips, Ferments

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