If you’ve been paying attention, you probably already know that fermentation is the movement of the moment. Kombucha, kimchi, koji (we promise they don’t all start with k), they’re all ancient techniques and recipes that have made a huge comeback. This is simply down to the fact that people are becoming more conscious about health and what they’re consuming, and fermented foods happen to pack a huge punch in the nutrition department.
The friendly bacteria that are produced during the fermentation process produce vitamins and minerals, produce biologically active peptides with enzymes such as proteinase and peptidase, and remove some non-nutrients. If that was all too much, just know that they positively affect your digestive system and help you live better in the long run.
But a lot of people tend to shy away from testing out the fermentation process for themselves, and it’s understandable since often you need to nurture a starter (as with for sourdough) and it could be a commitment of weeks or even months to get to the final product. That’s why this 4–ingredient Strawberry Soda is the perfect recipe for any fermentation novice. Fizzy, sweet and incredibly easy, give it a try to have a healthy, delicious beverage on hand whenever you need it.
One important technique you will have to learn for this is to burp your bottles after you’ve finished the initial ferment. Even after you bottle the drink, it will continue fermenting – even in the fridge – and carbon dioxide will start accumulating and lead to explosive situations. So, safety first, open the bottles once every 2-3 days to ensure that doesn’t happen.
Ingredients
- 3 cups sweet strawberries
- 3 cup sugar
- 12 cups water
- 3 lemons/limes
Method:
- Stir the sugar into the water until it’s completely dissolved.
- Hull and dice the strawberries and add them to the jar.
- Seal the jar and keep it in a cool spot. Once every day, open and stir the contents for five days.
- After 5 days, the mixture should begin to form bubbles, that’s a good thing!
- Continue to ferment it, tasting it on occasion. It should take between 8-12 days depending on the climate.
- When you’re happy with the flavour, strain the drink through a sieve and stir in the lemon juice.
- You can store them at room temperature and move them to the fridge for a few hours whenever you’re ready to drink them. (So please remember to burp your bottles if you’re storing them for long periods!)
