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What does Sauerkraut taste like?
Do you like fermented cabbage recipes like kimchi, Curtido, Pikliz, or even cai Chua?
Then I bet you will like Sauerkraut as well.
The first time I tried it on a hot smoked salmon, I was sold right off the gate. The distinctive sour taste was unimaginably delicious. Although, Sauerkraut has a wide variety of flavors from tangy to a complex combination of vinegar-like punchy taste.
But in this article, we’ve dug deep to unravel it all for you.
What Is Sauerkraut?
Sauerkraut is a well-known raw fermented cabbage recipe in Germany. During fermentation, it uses various lactic acid bacteria, giving it a sour flavor.
If you look up the meaning of Sauerkraut in German, You’ll understand the taste justifies its name — sour greens. Apart from having a flavorful taste, Sauerkraut contains many nutrients and offers an ocean of health benefits.
What Does Sauerkraut Taste Like?
Picture Sauerkraut as kimchi without the fiery spice.
If you are new to the world of fermented foods, Sauerkraut will get your foot at the door.
It doesn’t have any irritating taste that will instantly quench your appetite, like being fishy, super sweet, too spicy, or funky. Instead, Sauerkraut is just salty and sour, even more so when fermented for long.
Although the more it ferments, the more complex the flavor gets. Aside from that, some additions like juniper berries, celery seed, onion powder, or caraway seeds are often used, resulting in a sophisticated taste.
Among other things is the texture. Sauerkraut has a cooked-noodle-like soft texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sauerkraut Taste Like Kimchi?
Sauerkraut tastes nothing like kimchi even though both dishes share the same primary ingredient (fermented cabbages). They both have a distinctive taste due to their secondary addition.
Sauerkraut has a tangy, acidic taste flyover. Meanwhile, kimchi tastes salty and even spicy. Although, kimchi’s taste can vary.
We encourage you to read our article on “what does kimchi taste like” to fully grasp what we are talking about. The ONLY thing Sauerkraut and Kimchi have in common is the slightly sour taste.
Why Does Sauerkraut Taste Like Another Sauerkraut?
Not necessarily, but some factors influence the taste of Sauerkraut, such as:
1. The Use Of Fresh Ingredients
For instance, fresh cabbages (especially those in late winter) contain high sugar content and are juicy for the perfect brine.
Old or dry ingredients might alter the original taste.
Adding extra ingredients like grapes, cranberries, anise, apples, and even horseradish gives Sauerkraut another flavor altogether.
2. Extra Ferment Time
Patience is everything with Sauerkraut because it ONLY gets better with time.
So if you open your Sauerkraut and it doesn’t taste right, re-seal the jar and give a little more time to ferment. Only then can you achieve the authentic crisp sour taste.
Fermenting variables can also affect the taste and texture — the temperature and light.
The optimum temperature is within 65-72 degrees F. Ensure you store the jars away from direct sunlight because it slows down the fermentation process.
3. The Salinity
How you brine also changes the taste.
If it is either tasteless, too salty, or soggy, your Sauerkraut will too.
Hence, it is crucial to get the salinity from the start so your Sauerkraut won’t be plagued by toxic bacteria growth. Or you would have to drain and rinse the vegetables or prepare extra brine using additional salty — that is stressful.
What Do You Eat Sauerkraut With?
Sauerkraut is more versatile than you thought. There are various ways to eat and pair Sauerkraut. You can add it to stews or soups, served with sausages, cooked with stock, or salted meats, smoked fish, and hot-smoked salmon.
You can even try it on beer or wine.
Sauerkraut’s tangy taste is also excellent for side dishes like adding it to potatoes, using it as a dip, and spicing up on your morning egg scramble, salad, sandwich, or avocado toast; for a guacamole topping, and rice bowl.
Does Sauerkraut Make You Poop?
Yes! Consuming way too much Sauerkraut makes you poop regularly.
Here is the catch:
You are likely to have Diarrhea after much probiotic and dietary fiber intake. And Sauerkraut contains both. It is rich in dietary fiber and probiotics, which help gather stool and make you poop frequently.
Does Sauerkraut Clean You Out?
Absolutely!
Sauerkraut (the unpasteurized version) contains probiotics that help fight against toxins and harmful bacteria. Probiotics act like the first line of defense. They also improve the digestion system, boost your immune system, reduce constipation, bloating, and many more.
Conclusion
Now you know what sauerkraut tastes like, would you rather make yourself one at home or get a surprising taste from the grocery shop?
Well, if you’ve thought about a homemade Sauerkraut, it is a nice plan—at least you have control over the process.
Moreover, they are pretty easy to make.
However, if you have neither the time nor patience for that, you can get ready-made Sauerkraut in nearly any supermarket at an affordable price.
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