5 tips for good sauerkraut
The preparation of sauerkraut is an emblematic Bulgarian tradition that is present in almost every home in winter. Tasty and useful, the most suitable time for its preparation is autumn, when the weather cools down.
If you too have decided to make homemade sauerkraut this year, we have prepared some useful tips for you to have perfect cabbage for the winter!
1. Choose a quality variety
Cabbages should be fresh, firm and white or light green. Avoid heads with spots or soft leaves. Once you have chosen your cabbages, you can either place them whole in a fermentation barrel or shred them if you plan to use jars. For shredded cabbage, remove the outer leaves and core.
In addition, some people add to the cabbage other ingredients such as carrots, dill, garlic. You can do it too if you choose.
2. Correctly judge the ratio between salt and cabbage
About 2-3% coarse sea salt by weight of cabbage is usually used. The amount of salt is important because it limits the growth of harmful bacteria. Accordingly, if you overdo it, however, the cabbage will become too salty. So be precise with the salting.
3. Prepare suitable containers
After mixing the cabbage with the salt, pack it tightly into the fermentation vessel. These are most often cans, if it is in a larger quantity, or jars – if the cabbage is cut. This prevents the formation of mold. It is also important to place a weight on the cabbage to keep it submerged in the juice that forms during fermentation. This will push out the air and create the anaerobic environment necessary for beneficial bacteria to thrive.
4. Leave the cabbage to ferment in suitable conditions
Cabbage fermentation lasts about 3 weeks. It is good to place it at room temperature – around 18-24 degrees, away from direct sunlight. When it is ready and you start using it, you can put it in the refrigerator.
5. Enjoy your homemade sauerkraut
You can serve sauerkraut as a side dish, on a salad, like the famous sauerkraut with meat, or as another favorite dish. Do not throw away the cabbage juice. It also has a number of benefits such as boosting immunity, fighting allergies and respiratory problems, hangovers and more.
If you are wondering where to get quality and tasty cabbage, look for cabbage from YanchevFarm. We offer only the highest quality varieties suitable for both salads and canning. You can read more information on our website.