Fermented Food

[Hanswurst]

I have read so much about the amazing health benefits of fermented foods, so I would like to introduce some into my diet on a regular basis.
Any suggestions what brands/types to buy? I gather any old jar of Sauerkraut won’t be good enough, so those in the know, would you be able to recommend specific products please?
TIA

i bought a recipe book in Lakeland and stated by making my own yoghurt and from there went on to nake my own cream cheese. I have also made fermented polenta and chick pea pancakes all from the same book. That’s about it so far . Not convinced about health benefits though it tasted good so worth doing .
My attempt at sourdough bread was an unmitigated disaster.

Time seemed to be a recurring theme lots of it eg several days for the chick pea thing .
can’t help with bought if that is what you mean.?

Drink Kefir every day , also all the eastern european shops have every pickled vegetable under the sun.

Kimchi with everything. It's great cooked and goes with different things the longer you keep it.

Make your own - if you have a long enough garden (or just try one of the instant recipes).

I'm totally sold on the health benefits as I'm pretty sure kimchi is the only thing keeping partners nearly 100 year old grandma going . His family is korean so they do a lot of homemade kimchi though most korean owned restaurants or shops should sell good kimchi .

Japanese Natto (fermented soy beans) are also supposed to be great health wise and you can buy convenient little frozen single serve portions of it online or from Japanese groceries

I just made a huge batch of kimchi today and it took so little time, the longest part is salting the cabbage! So simple as long as you have a food processor. Look up Maangchi's recipes, her chaesik (vegetarian) kimchi is extremely accessible, but visit an Asian supermarket if you have one locally - better napa cabbage than the supermarkets.

Also for how to incorporate it you can use kimchi as a side dish or look for recipes like kimchi jigae, kimchi japchae or

Sent too fast meant to put the last one (and my favourite) kimchijeon

All super easy to make and can be made with homemade or shop bought kimchi

For Natto eat on its own as a snack or mix with rice

I've tried all kinds of kefir, kimchi and the rest. They are without exception vile. I can manage to force the odd spoonful down but I really struggle to incorporate them into daily diet.
And I'm pretty adventurous in what I eat, there's virtually nothing I dislike.

Fab, thanks so much! I’m well up for making my own kimchi, i hadn’t even considered that pre this post so thanks for the suggestions!
I should have said, I’m actually lactose intolerant so can’t go for kefir. I did. read somewhere though that kombucha is also a fermented food, so might start drinking that regularly.

What a shame that you can't tolerate such common foods - clearly most people can. I do feel for you. Of course someone posting a thread wanting to eat more fermented foods is likely able to enjoy them, so I'm not sure the point of your comment. Hope you can broaden your horizons one day :)

In other news - Kimchi fried rice is also a really easy way to eat it, it tastes totally different when cooked - far milder.

I've eaten most of the supermarket offerings of kimchi, usually the jarred stuff is fairly weaksauce but Vadasz do a decent refrigerated kimchi, available in Tesco.

I'm getting into this too.

I think you have to buy from the fridge section not off a shelf. General pickles in vinegar are not the same as those preserved via salt I believe.

I've made kimchi for years and love it.. on everything.

Has anyone tried kombucha? I tried and killed the scoby

OP, if you're anywhere near me, I can give you a jar of kefir grains to grow from.

Sourdough bread?

I really like LA Brewery Kombucha

Sorry, just saw that you are lactose intolerant.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads still a very kind offer, thanks so much!
@unvillage good point! My username may be a giveaway, but I’m well used to fermented foods, mainly in the form of Sauerkraut 😂 I don’t mind the taste at all

Just thought I would mention Graham's Dairy kefir is lactose-free (sold in Home Bargains). DP is lactose-intolerant and has been fine with it.

I plan on trying a few homemade fermented foods this year - there are a few recipes in a little Leon cookbook I have. I've not been a fan of shop-bought kimchi but have had small amounts eating out and tolerated that.

Love kombucha but again have only had pre-made - Hip-Pop was really nice but also like the ones they sell in H&B, Sainsbury's, etc.

I make my own sauerkraut and it really couldn’t be easier. A cabbage, salt, a mason jar and 5 days of anticipation. As someone else said, the hardest bit is battering the cabbage to grind in the salt - dead arm territory!

I’m lactose intolerant and I make my own water kefir. You can also get oat kefir in some supermarkets (which I like).

Homemade kimchi and sauerkraut are nice and easy too (I use the Lakeland fermenting jars).

love kimchi and saukraut. Make my own saukraut.

natto is a very acquired taste, there’s a lot of Japanese people who pull a face at it.