Some Of My Best Friends Are Germs

Soy, fava bean & peanut tempeh

Fermentation is a fascinating thing and has long been used by food cultures, and culturers, all around the world. That's why Otis Beanery includes classic fermentations like sauerkraut and yoghurt in our workshop program, as well as some unusual ones like tempeh and water kefir. And it's fun as heck too :-)

People often ask about the benefits of fermented foods. As the classes have a lot of practical things to get through there's not always time to provide a full answer. The article linked below gives an excellent overall picture of fermentation, why we should eat fermented foods and how they fit into our increasingly scientific understanding of the microbiology of the human body.


(Michael) Pollan calls the 100 trillion or so bacteria in his own body “a vast, largely uncharted interior wilderness that scientists are just beginning to map.” The data is not all in yet. That said, there are plenty basic facts we already know, and scientists have made several amazing discoveries about friendly bacteria and fermented foods in recent years.
It's a very worthwhile read so catch the full article at AlterNet here.

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