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Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods, 2nd Edition Paperback – Illustrated, August 19, 2016
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“Wild Fermentation [has] become a manifesto and how-to manual for a generation of underground food activists.”―The New Yorker
The book that started the fermentation revolution, with recipes including kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, pickles, gundruk, kombucha, kvass, sourdough, paneer, yogurt, amazaké, and so much more!
Sandor Ellix Katz, winner of a James Beard Award and New York Times bestselling author, whom Michael Pollan calls the “Johnny Appleseed of Fermentation” returns to his iconic, bestselling book with a fresh perspective, renewed enthusiasm, and expanded wisdom from his travels around the world. This self-described fermentation revivalist is perhaps best known simply as Sandorkraut, which describes his joyful and demystifying approach to making and eating fermented foods, the health benefits of which have helped launch a nutrition-based food revolution.
Since its original publication, and aided by Katz’s engaging and fervent workshop presentations, Wild Fermentation has inspired people to turn their kitchens into food labs: fermenting vegetables into sauerkraut, milk into cheese or yogurt, grains into sourdough bread, and much more. In turn, they’ve traded batches, shared recipes, and joined thousands of others on a journey of creating healthy food for themselves, their families, and their communities. Katz’s work earned him the Craig Clairborne lifetime achievement award from the Southern Foodways Alliance, and he has been called “one of the unlikely rock stars of the American food scene” by The New York Times.
This updated and revised edition, now with full color photos throughout, is sure to introduce a whole new generation to the flavors and health benefits of fermented foods. It features many brand-new recipes, including:
- Strawberry Kvass
- African Sorghum Beer
- Infinite Buckwheat Bread
- And many more!
Updates on original recipes also reflect the author’s ever-deepening knowledge of global food traditions. For Katz, his gateway to fermentation was sauerkraut. So open this book to find yours, and start a little food revolution right in your own kitchen!
"A solid reference library will take you a long way in the fermentation game. By law (or just about), the first book in it should be the recently revised edition of Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz. It provides know-how, recipes, [and] you-can-do-it spunk."―Wired Magazine
More praise for Sandor Ellix Katz and his books:
“The Art of Fermentation is an extraordinary book, and an impressive work of passion and scholarship.”―Deborah Madison, author of Local Flavors
“The fermenting bible.” ― Newsweek
“In a country almost clinically obsessed with sterilization Katz reminds us of the forgotten benefits of living in harmony with our microbial relatives.” ― Grist
- Print length320 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherChelsea Green Publishing
- Publication dateAugust 19, 2016
- Dimensions7 x 1 x 10 inches
- ISBN-101603586288
- ISBN-13978-1603586283
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
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From the Publisher
Fruit Kimchi
(See page 74 for complete process)
A Tennessee neighbor of mine, Nancy Ramsay, spent many years living in Korea and told me about fruit kimchi. My method is improvisational, based on her description. The sweet fruit contrasts beautifully with the spicy and sour kimchi flavors, and makes for a surprising and bold taste sensation. If you ferment it for too long, the sweetness of the fruit all turns into acidity and you lose the dramatic contrast.
Timeframe
3-5 Days.
Vessel
1-quart/1-liter jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound/500 grams napa cabbage, daikon radish, and/or other vegetables
- Sea salt
- 1 Tablespoon rice flour (optional)
- 2–4 Tablespoons (or more!) gochugaru, Korean chili powder, and/or fresh or dried chilies
- 1 Bunch scallions or 1 onion or leek or a few shallots (or more!)
- 3–4 Cloves garlic (or more!)
- 2 Tablespoons (or more!) fresh-grated gingerroot
- 1 Pound/500 grams fruit such as berries and/ or plums, pears, grapes, pineapple + Juice of 1 lemon
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| THE ART OF FERMENTATION | FERMENTATION AS METAPHOR | WILDCRAFTED FERMENTATION | KOJI ALCHEMY | THE WILDCRAFTING BREWER | |
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| Customer Reviews |
4.7 out of 5 stars
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| Price | $18.00$18.00 | $12.50$12.50 | $23.85$23.85 | $26.48$26.48 | $23.46$23.46 |
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"[Katz is] the country's foremost fermentation expert . . . [and] Wild Fermentation is the best and most accessible guide out there to this most ancient style of preservation."―Epicurious
"In the new and revised edition, there's a clear effort to make the recipes more straightforward and easy to understand. Soon, like me, you'll have a batch of sauerkraut fermenting away in a cool space, all year long."―Wired Magazine
"For amateur picklers and kimchi-makers, there is a new edition of Wild Fermentation, the manual that helped its author, Sandor Katz, become a heroic figure among cooks who ferment their own foods."―The New York Times
"This updated and revised edition is a more accurate reflection of the recipes Sandor makes at home―and the knowledge he's accrued by teaching workshops to eager students."―Food52
"Folks flock to study books such as Wild Fermentation and The Art of Fermentation, both by the fermentation movement’s guru, Sandor Katz."―USA Today
"[When] I open my copy of Wild Fermentation I find that Sandor Ellix Katz, the fermentation guru and master who has inspired so many to explore the world of wild foods, always has a way to reflect on culture and society through his writing. While he writes amount fermented foods, the meaning is always deeper."―Paste Magazine
"A groundbreaking book."―Sierra Magazine
About the Author
Sandor Ellix Katz is a fermentation revivalist. A self-taught experimentalist who lives in rural Tennessee, his explorations in fermentation developed out of his overlapping interests in cooking, nutrition, and gardening. He is the author of four previous books: Wild Fermentation, The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved, The Art of Fermentation―which won a James Beard Foundation Award in 2013―and Fermentation as Metaphor. The hundreds of fermentation workshops he has taught around the world have helped catalyze a broad revival of the fermentation arts. The New York Times calls Sandor “one of the unlikely rock stars of the American food scene.” For more information, check out his website: www.wildfermentation.com.
Sally Fallon Morell is the founding president of the Weston A. Price Foundation and author or coauthor of many acclaimed books, including Nourishing Traditions, The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care, and Nourishing Broth.
Product details
- Publisher : Chelsea Green Publishing; 2nd edition (August 19, 2016)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1603586288
- ISBN-13 : 978-1603586283
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 7 x 1 x 10 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #36,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #34 in Food Science (Books)
- #50 in Natural Food Cooking
- #50 in Canning & Preserving (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Sandor Ellix Katz is a fermentation revivalist. His books Wild Fermentation (2003) and the Art of Fermentation (2012), along with hundreds of fermentation workshops he has taught around the world, have helped to catalyze a broad revival of the fermentation arts. A self-taught experimentalist who lives in rural Tennessee, the New York Times calls him “one of the unlikely rock stars of the American food scene.” The Art of Fermentation received a James Beard award, and in 2014, Sandor was honored with the Craig Claiborne Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Foodways Alliance. For more information, check out his website www.wildfermentation.com.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the recipes detailed and easy to follow. They describe the book as wonderful, enlightening, and usable. Readers appreciate the beautiful pictures and writing style. Opinions are mixed on the information quality, with some finding it educational and inspiring, while others say it lacks practical information and is not very in-depth.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the recipes in the book detailed and easy to follow. They say it's a great introduction to different fermentations, and it helps expand their repertoire of fermented foods. Readers also appreciate the base and process information.
"...The book is great, the author is fun and the recipes are phenomenal and beginner friendly...." Read more
"...love the way Sandor presents the information and the recipes in here are very easy to follow...." Read more
"EXCELLENT READ on fermentation!!!!..." Read more
"...Katz provides many detailed recipes in this book for ferments of several varieties, which makes it a great starter book to read before stepping up..." Read more
Customers find the book wonderful, enlightening, and well-written. They say it's a great starter book to read before stepping up to The Art of Baking. Readers also mention the author is fun and the recipes are phenomenal.
"...The book is great, the author is fun and the recipes are phenomenal and beginner friendly...." Read more
"...Used a 5 gallon crock.ALSO, it is an ENTERTAINING read with GREAT pictures and illustrations!!!GREAT BOOK!!!!..." Read more
"...book for ferments of several varieties, which makes it a great starter book to read before stepping up to The Art of Fermentation...." Read more
"Great book, with so many wonderful recipes!" Read more
Customers find the pictures in the book beautiful, great, and lovely. They also say it's well-done and practical.
"...ALSO, it is an ENTERTAINING read with GREAT pictures and illustrations!!!GREAT BOOK!!!!..." Read more
"...This book, however, has tons of bright and colorful pictures along with delightful stories...." Read more
"...This version does not disappoint. It has beautiful pictures and new recipes in it...." Read more
"Empowering for those who want to learn about wild fermentation. It's really well done...." Read more
Customers find the writing style well-written and digestible. They also appreciate the clear presentation of material and great pictures.
"Wild Fermentation is so, well digestible to read...." Read more
"...I love the way he writes. I love his recipes. I love his books." Read more
"great book, great recipes, great humble author, love this book and will order more for "nature people"...." Read more
"He's a great writer. Clearly presented material and lots of great pictures." Read more
Customers find the book valuable. They say it's a great addition to their libraries and kitchens.
"A great addition to my library. Love it." Read more
"A classic! Absolutely essential. Practical, thoughtful, humorous. Wonderful addition to anyone’s kitchen." Read more
"lots of great stuff here..." Read more
Customers find the book entertaining. They appreciate the colorful pictures and delightful stories.
"...however, has tons of bright and colorful pictures along with delightful stories...." Read more
"...The history is entertaining" Read more
"Fun and easy to follow..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the information quality of the book. Some mention it's educational and inspiring, while others say it lacks practical information and instruction.
"...No need for fancy gear, this guy lays it out on how to get started with what you have! A+" Read more
"...Very lacking information or instruction or even hardly mention of even basic simple vegetables, no citrus, fruits, or even using honey...." Read more
"...Very inspiring. Not only inspiring to do your own home projects but the author shares his personal story and philosophies. He feels like a friend...." Read more
"A very lovely designed book but the information was really not very helpful. It just doesn’t give enough detail about each of the fermented foods...." Read more
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ALSO, it is an ENTERTAINING read with GREAT pictures and illustrations!!!
GREAT BOOK!!!!
Thanks Sandor Katz for your contribution to all of life
Wild Fermentation has two features that stand out to me as especially valuable:
First, I did enjoy Katz's philosophical musings in regard to food, politics, death, and human existence in general. Although he is definitely thinking and writing from a very particular perspective, his tone is conciliatory and he remains focused on the potential of food as a unifying social force rather than going off on a tangent of blaming or demonizing folks with different experiences and/or perspectives. I think this demonstrates a degree of good will and rhetorical restraint that is badly needed in our increasingly polarized culture.
Second, the suggested reading sections at the end of each chapter are extremely helpful. These have led me to a wealth of knowledge in the particular genres of fermentation that I became interested while reading this book. With such a dizzying number of books available on every type of fermentation, these suggestions have helped to pinpoint which ones are especially worth checking out.


