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Fermented Strawberries

Fermented strawberries are a gluten-free, vegan, probiotic and low sugar alternative to jam

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Fermented strawberries are an easy way to preserve this delicious spring fruit. See the sections above for information on how to turn your strawberries into a probiotic topping, cordial, or jam. 

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pint of strawberries (about 2 cups sliced)
  • 1 to 4 Tbsp of culture (see section above for options)
  • 1 Tbsp of sugar (optional)
  • 2 Tbsp of water (chlorine-free)

Instructions

  1. Wash and slice the strawberries. Pack the berries into a pint-sized (500 mL) jar.
  2. Stir in the culture. See the section above for five different options. The amount of culture and the flavor of the ferment will depend on the type of culture you choose to use.
  3. Stir in 1 Tbsp of sugar, if using. This is a sweet ferment, so adding extra sugar will cause the strawberries to ferment more quickly and won’t necessarily impact the amount of sugar after fermenting.
  4. Add enough water to cover the strawberries. Use a weight to keep them from floating. Cover with a cloth or a fermentation-specific lid (see notes). Leave the jar to ferment in a dark location at room temperature for 2 to 4 days. A kitchen cupboard is ideal.
  5. The strawberries are finished when they have softened and the liquid is slightly sparkly. They  will become less sweet and more sour the longer they ferment. If you ferment for longer than a week, expect them to taste quite tart. To stop the fermentation, cap the jar with an air-tight lid and store it in the fridge. 
  6. Fermented strawberries taste best if enjoyed within 3 weeks. Otherwise, freeze them in straight-sided mason jars for long-term storage. See the section above for turning the strawberries into a topping, jam, or cordial. 

Notes

  • Don’t use strawberries that have started to go off. Always use freshly picked berries. You don’t want to accidentally contaminate your ferment with mold.
  • This ferment will bubble, so it’s important to use a lid that will allow gas to escape. Using a mason jar lid that isn’t fully tightened works well. You can also use a Fido jar.