Welcome! The name of this website is a play on the word zymurgy, so it seems appropriate for my first post to be about ginger bug, a starter for lacto-fermented foods. I’ve used ginger bug to make probiotic-rich fruit kvass and fermented vegetables since I read about it in Sandor Ellix Katz’s book, The Art of Fermentation. Why use ginger bug instead of whey? A couple of reasons. First, ginger is non-dairy yet rich in lactic acid bacteria and yeast, so it's a good alternative starter for people looking to avoid dairy. Second, ginger bug is more efficient for me. I’ve used whey separated from yogurt before and I end up using only a small portion of the whey before it goes bad. I don’t consume much dairy these days (doesn’t agree with me) so the yogurt cheese is wasted, too. Salt? Yes, I use salt for some things. But ginger makes almost everything taste better, so why not? |
Here’s how I make it. First, I break off ¾-1 inch of organic ginger root. Organic because I can get it. I rinse it because it doesn't get peeled and you never know if it’s fallen on the floor somewhere. I grate it and add it to a pint Mason jar. To this I add a spoonful of maple sugar to feed the yeast and bacteria (you can use any sugar) and fill the jar 1/3 with filtered water.
Cap the jar and let it sit out.
The lid will become taut so every day relieve the pressure by loosening the lid. The gas sounds and smells like a ginger fart.
The lid will become taut so every day relieve the pressure by loosening the lid. The gas sounds and smells like a ginger fart.
I feed it every day or two by adding ginger, sugar, and water. Lather, rinse, repeat. It’ll become bubbly and fizzy. When the jar is filled so there's enough to use and then some, I put it in the fridge until I need to use it.
If you want to know more about how fermented foods and probiotics can improve your health, contact me to schedule a nutrition consultation at mary@zymary.com.
Stay tuned for how I make apple kvass with ginger bug!
If you want to know more about how fermented foods and probiotics can improve your health, contact me to schedule a nutrition consultation at mary@zymary.com.
Stay tuned for how I make apple kvass with ginger bug!