Food scientists from the University of Massachusetts Amherst found vegetables are the main source of fermentation-related microbes. Many in the fermentation field commonly think food handlers, food prep surfaces, production environment or other environmental sources effect the bacteria in fermented vegetables. Testing was done as Mass.-based Real Pickles, and the company founder said he was fascinated to learn how fresh, organic vegetables play a key part in a diverse microbial environment for fermentation.

Read more (Science Daily) (Photo: Real Pickles)

Snacks Fastest Growing Food Product

Snacks are one of the fastest growing food and beverage products, increasing 11.6% in sales for $5.4 billion in annual sales. Interesting ingredients are driving innovation, like probiotic-packed protein bars and turmeric-flavored chips. Fermented food products are becoming a snack regular on grocery store shelves, like OH SNAP pickled vegetables.

Read more (Supermarket News) (Photo: OH SNAP)

Food venture centers are proving a valuable resource for fermented food startups. The Cornell Food Venture Center is helping aspiring food entrepreneurs in the Northeast with business development, product safety and commercialization. New York-based Perfectly Pickled Products (P3) shares their experience going from an idea to an agribusiness with the food venture center. They sell pickled eggs, sausage, beans and, of course, pickles. Many customers are drawn to the nostalgia, remembering eating these fermented favorites at their grandparents table.

Read more (Cornell Chronicle)

The Pickle Juice received its USDA organic certification, big news for the only trademarked pickle juice sports beverage. The bottled drink also recently earned its OU Kosher Certification. A healthier alternative than traditional sports drinks, The Pickle Juice has no artificial flavoring or preservatives, and contains 14 times the electrolytes found in an average sports drink. Perfect for athletes, scientific research shows that pickle juice relieves muscle cramps in 60 seconds.

Read more (BevNet)

Probiotics are good for the bones, a new study finds. Older women who took probiotics had less bone weakening than women who did not take probiotics. Fermented foods rich in probiotics include pickled veggies (sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi), yogurt, kefir, kvass and natto.

Read more (New York Times)

Home fermenters are still hitting legislative roadblocks. A Texas law allows farmers and home cooks to sell their pickled goods without becoming licensed food manufacturers — as long as that pickled product is cucumber. The 2011 law oddly doesn’t permit any other pickled vegetable. A retired couple is suing the state over the restrictive law, arguing it hurt the financial viability of their farm which the couple was forced to close because they couldn’t sell their pickled beets.

Read More (The Texas Tribune)

Fermentation guru and chef Jeremy Umansky is opening a restaurant that takes a modern twist on an old-world, Jewish-style deli. Larder: A Curated Delicatessen & Bakery in Cleveland serves fermented favorites like sauerkraut, pickles, giardiniera, pickled smelt, pickled radishes and fermented cabbage leaves.

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A Colorado food artisan is combining two popular fermented favorites: pickles and alcohol. Colorado Liquor Pickles creates their unique, boozy flavors with craft spirits from local breweries and distilleries. The cucumbers are also from organic, CO farmers.

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Check out the 2018 Good Food winners – dozens of American fermenters won, in categories like beer, meat, cheese, pickles, chocolate, cider. The prestigious annual awards honor U.S. food producers who create responsible products. Any winners in your state?

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Seven Acres Farm & Ferments is expanding their home-based fermented food business to Canada’s grocery store shelves. Their fermented offerings include water kefir, kimchi, pickles and 14 varieties of sauerkraut (like lemon dill, classic caraway and sweet juniper).

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