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I'm interested in experimenting with pickling, and I'm wondering what the difference in flavor is between a classically fermented pickle and one made using vinegar. I've search online, but can't find a clear description. Many people seem to prefer fermented, but no one ever says why. I know these thing are hard to put into words, but can anyone give it a go? I guess I wondering if its worth the extra effort to go the fermented route. Best, Matt |
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I've been fermenting for quite a while (everything from sauerkraut and kimchi to Indian-spiced grated carrots and kohlrabi spears with dill), and my two cents is that the flavor of fermented pickles is vastly (vastly!) superior to that of vinegar pickles. Fermented pickles are indeed fruitier and more complex. When I have the first taste of something I've just fermented for the first time, I'm almost always surprised and pleased to the point of involuntary smiling and "mmm"-ing. It's just pure joy. Most importantly for me, fermented vegetables taste more like vegetables than those pickled in vinegar. With vinegar pickles, I now find the vinegar totally overpowering, even just when opening the jar. I feel like I'm eating processed food. Fermented vegetables taste closer to fresh. Another fun thing is that fermented pickles continue to mature with time. I usually keep my ferments at room temperature for one to two weeks, then move them to the fridge. The cold slows the fermentation way, way down, but it doesn't stop it completely. If you make 5 pounds of sauerkraut and consume it slowly over, say, two months, you can bet that your last serving of it will taste quite different from your first. But it's always good. It is absolutely worth the extra effort to go the fermented route. It's an adventure in deliciousness. Here's a site with some great recipe ideas: http://www.picklemetoo.com/recipes/. |
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Pickled vegetables using vinegar brine contain vinegar as a main acid. It is somewhat sharper than the mixture of different acids produced by the fermentation method. Here you have vinegar, lactic acid and other chemical byproducts of happy life of your culture including a little amount of alcohol (though this process is done with air access, unlike making alcohol, where there must be no oxygen present, or your alcohol making turns into vinegar production). 1. vinegar brine method: Vinegar is the main acid. The taste is sharper and differs depending on the recipe and amount of salt, sugar water and spices. It is the more stable way to preserve and gives more reliable results with little expertise. Results vary mainly season to season from the vegetables' quality (flavours and texture) You can use different types of vinegars from different processes (apple cider vinegar, wine vinegar) and shift the flavour of your results. It's a very tasty way of preserving vegetables. There is some loss of vitamins due to heating, but your product lasts longer. 2. fermentation method: The process requires better knowledge of precautions, methods, and combination of ingredients. The flavour is more fruity due to the combination of more different acids and a little alcohol and other products of the culture. It's less sharp, and also depends on the length of process, temperatures, and qualities of the ingredients. So generally this process is more "colorful" in result and more unpredictable. To get reliable results you have to master the process. Imagine it like master wine makers. This method preserves vitamins, but products are best kept in the fridge or cellar and the shelf life is shorter and depends on for how long your mix will stay alive. Otherwise you would have to sterilize it in later stages and destroy vitamins. In summary: Flavour is different, because different chemicals are present. Vinegar pickles have vinegar; fermented pickles have vinegar and other flavours. |
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