Day #11 Bad Fermentation :(

I went to check on my sauerkraut like I do everyday and it has a layer of mold on it! :( I'm not sure what I did wrong. Maybe I let too much oxygen in? I know I didn't let it ferment too long because it says online that it can stay out for weeks...Either way I'm super bummed that it didn't work out. I took a photo of my sauerkraut after mold had formed...

Day #9 Almost Done

Today is the ninth day of my fermentation project. My sauerkraut is getting close, but I'm going to let it ferment longer than 10 days. Yesterday I didn't need to push the cabbage under the liquid, which was a surprise. Today I did need to push the cabbage under the liquid though. It is almost done!

Day #7 One Week Down

Today was a very similar day to yesterday and my sauerkraut is looking great. I bought some store bought sauerkraut today and compared it. My sauerkraut is more crunchy and it seems to be saltier (like I've mentioned before.) I've decided today that I am going to let it ferment until the day we test it and then put it in the fridge for tasting! Can't wait!

Day #6 Basically Nothing Changed

Hey everyone! Today was basically like yesterday. I need to press down the cabbage under the juice again and I added a small amount of water. It smells like sauerkraut. It tastes saltier than I'm used to when it comes to sauerkraut. I think that it is going to take a little longer than 10 days to get to the point where I want it.

Day #5

Today I had to pack down the sauerkraut even more under the liquid. It is really starting to smell, look and taste like sauerkraut. I've noticed that the juices are still there, but they are under the cabbage. Hopefully only 5 days left before I get to try my kraut!

Day #4 Explosion

Today is the fourth day since I punched my fists into small jars in attempt to make sauerkraut. I had quite the explosion in my kitchen this morning, and the lesson I learned is not to fill my jars with as much sauerkraut as I did... Let's just say my mom wasn't pleased with the sauerkraut smell that lingered in our kitchen. I opened up the jars one by one as they each would pop open and spill out juice all over my hands. I decided to put three of the little jars into a big jar and packed it down under the juices. This morning the sauerkraut is really starting to taste and smell like sauerkraut, with an extra crunch to it. The sauerkraut was really bubbly and I can definitely see a difference in the color (it is now whiter.) After picking up the sauerkraut juice that had spread all over the kitchen I decided to place the jars under a towel to see if the darkness and warmth would help with the fermentation process. I guess we will see!

Day #3 A Day Late

I meant to post this last night, but yesterday was the third day of my sauerkraut fermentation! That being said, my first attempt at making sauerkraut is complete! I took one jar of my sauerkraut and tested it. The sauerkraut was still quite crunchy and salty. It is much whiter now than it was before I put it in the jars. It is really starting to smell like the sauerkraut I know and love. I put one jar in the fridge and labeled it "3 days," because I am going to let the rest of my sauerkraut ferment for 7-8 more days. After making this first batch of sauerkraut , I've come to realize that waiting longer is better when it comes to sauerkraut. I can't wait for next week when I get to try out my second batch of sauerkraut. Stay tuned!