This tutorial has been created in collabor … This tutorial has been created in collaboration with Claire Yobé, a lacto-fermentation instructor with over thirty years of experience in the field.
The aim is to easily preserve surplus vegetables for long-term storage, whether from your vegetable patch (in Summer for example), or because you have bought more vegetables than you needed.
'''Key facts on food wastage'''
* 1/3 of food produced around the world goes off or is wasted
* In France, 50% of waste happens at home
* A person in France wastes 20kg of food per year
* 19 % of fruit and 31% of vegetables are wasted, making these the produce we waste the most
'''What is lacto-fermentation, or lactic acid fermentation?'''
Lacto-fermentation is the conversion of sugars into lactic acid by lactic acid bacteria (naturally present specific microorganisms).
This method of fermentation has been used for centuries to preserve milk (e.g yoghurt), vegetables (e.g sauerkraut), meat (e.g. cured sausage) and even fish (e.g fish sauce).
How is it possible to preserve vegetables by means of lactic acid fermentation?
Vegetables carry microorganisms on their surfaces (microscopic fungi, bacteria) which, when left in the open air, cause them to rot. The absence of air (anaerobic conditions) and a small quantity of salt to inhibit other bacteria, encourages the lactic acid bacteria to grow: this is the start of the lacto-fermentation process.
These bacteria grow by feeding off the sugars present in the food, and converting them into lactic acid. The amount of lactic acid gradually increases, and the vegetable juice becomes increasingly acidic.
This acidity neutralises the rotting process. When the medium is acidic enough (approx. pH 4), the lactic acid bacteria are also inhibited. The product becomes stable, which allows for long term storage of up to several months and sometimes even years.
What kind of vegetables can be preserved by lacto-fermentation?
Nearly all vegetables which are eaten raw can be preserved this way. (E.g cabbage, cucumber, carrots, beetroot, etc...)
What are the nutritional and health benefits of lacto-fermented vegetables?
1) They aid digestion and nutrient absorption.
Enzymes in lactic acid bacteria "pre-digest" vegtables, which helps the digestion process as well as the absorption of nutrients and minerals by the body.
2) They are a source of vitamins.
Lacto-fermented vegetables have the same amount of vitamins, and sometimes more, as raw vegetables.
3) They help the intestines and immune system function properly.
Lactic acid bacteria are "pro-biotics" for the gut flora which play an important role as barriers for the immune system.
How can we consume lacto-fermented vegetables?
Lacto-fermented vegetables can be consumed frequently, on a daily basis even, for example as a side dish.
Eating a lot in one go can cause stomach pains due to its elevated acidity levels.
They should be part of a varied and balanced diet.
Are there any risks involved with lacto-fermentation?
Contrary to preservation by means of heat (e.g sterilisation) or freezing, which can in turn cause the growth of, for example, the toxin botulinum, lacto-fermentation is a very safe method.
The acidity of the medium prevents the growth of pathogens.
Nevertheless, if in doubt and bad odours or peculiar colours appear, throw the preserve away.r colours appear, throw the preserve away.
*Video tutorial by Camille Duband and wri …
*Video tutorial by Camille Duband and written instructions by Pierre-Alain Lévêque for the Low-tech Tour, April 2018.
*Knowledge and know-how passed on by Claire Yobé, Keroueze farm.
*ARTE, [https://www.arte.tv/player/v3/index.php?json_url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.arte.tv%2Fapi%2Fplayer%2Fv1%2Fconfig%2Ffr%2F074787-105-A%3Fautostart%3D1%26lifeCycle%3D1&config=arte_nude&lang=fr_FR Food waste in 7 key figures]
*National Geographic, [https://www.nationalgeographic.fr/environnement/un-tiers-des-aliments-produits-est-perdu-ou-gaspille A third of all food produced is lost or wasted]
*Wikipedia, [https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermentation_lactique lacto-fermentation]
*[https://nicrunicuit.com/category/sante/ Blog ni cru ni cuit]
*Lacto-fermentation cooking video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiNl0Jv6xTw
*The summit on fermentations (France, 2020) -> a summary of the speeches and the recipes are in the ‘Files’ tab of this tutorial.
*For more recipe inspiration and fermentation courses, follow ShiraBio: https://www.instagram.com/shirabio/
*For a wealth of recipes, ferments and tools for fermenting at home, visit the website of Fairment, organisers of the Fermentation Summit: [https://fairment.com/ https://fairment.com]
For more recipe inspiration and fermentation courses, follow [https://www.instagram.com/shirabio/ ShiraBio], [https://www.instagram.com/ferment_nation/ Ferment'Nation] and explore the incredible website (and books) of Marie-Claire Frédéric, anthropologist and chef fascinated by fermentations from around the world: [https://nicrunicuit.com/ Ni cru ni cuit].
There are several facebook groups for fermentation enthusiasts, and I recommend these
*[https://www.facebook.com/groups/250871642949849 Home fermentation] founded by Ferment'Nation
*[https://www.facebook.com/groups/1115598918561326 Lacto-fermentation and natural preserves], focusing specifically on lacto-fermentation
If you're looking for reference books to learn the art of fermentation, Sébastien aka Ferment'Nation offers [https://www.facebook.com/groups/250871642949849/permalink/656851205685222/ in this post from the Home Fermentation group] an explained compilation of the best books he's tested. There are specific ones (on lacto-fermentation, cheeses) and general ones. Something to inspire you!
For a wealth of recipes, ferments and tools for fermenting at home, visit the website of Fairment, organisers of the Fermentation Summit: [https://fairment.com/ https://fairment.com]
Other essential references can be found in the first few pages of the file attached to this tutorial.
'''If you would like to see more tutorials on fermentations, please take a look at:'''
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Conserves_lactoferment%C3%A9es Lacto-fermented conserves]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Aliments_ferment%C3%A9s_-_fermentations_de_fruits Fermented foods - Fruit fermentations]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Boissons_ferment%C3%A9es_-_Sodas_maison Fermented drinks - Homemade sodas]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Boissons_ferment%C3%A9es_-_Sodas_%C3%A0_base_de_fleurs Fermented drinks - Flower sodas]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Boissons_ferment%C3%A9es_-_K%C3%A9fir,_kombucha_et_vinaigres Fermented drinks - Kefir, kombucha and vinegars]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Boissons_ferment%C3%A9es_-_Hydromels Fermented drinks - Meads]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Aliments_ferment%C3%A9s_-_produits_laitiers_animaux_maison Fermented foods - homemade animal milk products]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Aliments_ferment%C3%A9s_-_k%C3%A9fir_de_laits_v%C3%A9g%C3%A9taux_et_fromages_vegan Fermented foods - Vegetable milk kefir and vegan cheeses]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Aliments_ferment%C3%A9s_-_levains_et_pains Fermented foods - sourdoughs and breads]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Aliments_ferment%C3%A9s_-_fermentations_asiatiques_de_c%C3%A9r%C3%A9ales,_l%C3%A9gumineuses_et_variations Fermented foods - Asian fermentations of cereals, pulses and variations]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Aliments_ferment%C3%A9s_-_festival_de_sauces Fermented foods - festival of sauces]
*[https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Aliments_ferment%C3%A9s_-_alternatives_aux_prot%C3%A9ines_animales Fermented foods - alternatives to animal proteins]
les Fermented foods - alternatives to animal proteins]