Fermentation is a biochemical reaction that preserves food, gives it a special flavour and increases its nutrient density.
What´s it all about?
- What does fermentation mean?
- How does food fermentation work?
- What fermentation products are available in the METRO range?
Fermentation is one of the oldest preservation techniques known to mankind. The first traces lead to China, where people fermented food around 9,000 years ago to make it more durable and flavourful. Nowadays, we consume numerous fermented products. Whether from Asia in the form of kimchi and soya sauce or from traditional German cuisine in the form of sauerkraut or sourdough bread. Fermented foods are characterised on the one hand by their high nutrient density and the probiotics they contain. On the other hand, all ferments have a unique flavour. Natural fermentation always produces different flavours.
What does ferment mean?
The term "fermentation" is derived from the Latin fermentum , which means fermentation or sourdough. Fermentation describes a biochemical metabolic process in which microorganisms such as bacteria or yeasts convert carbohydrates into acids, gases or alcohol. The fermentation process is anaerobic, which means that no oxygen is involved in the conversion. In lactic acid fermentation, for example, lactic acid bacteria break down sugar into lactic acid. This lactic acid lowers the pH value, which inhibits the growth of microorganisms and extends the shelf life of the food. There is also alcoholic fermentation, in which yeasts convert sugar into ethanol and carbon dioxide, a process that is mainly used in the production of beer, wine and bread.How fermentation works in a fermentation jar?
Vegetables can be easily fermented in fermentation jars with a fermentation valve. The fermentation valve allows the gases produced during fermentation to escape without oxygen entering. The vegetables are placed in salt water, which triggers the lactic acid fermentation process. In this way, lactic acid bacteria are formed, which drive the fermentation forward.METRO products for fermentation
METRO has various preserving jars in its range that are suitable for fermentation. Professional fermenters are suitable for the catering industry and can be used to ferment large quantities of food.
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Fermentation has great potential for the catering industry. Unique flavours and aromas can be created and fresh products can be preserved in a natural way.👉 https://www.metro.de/blog/fermentieren