What is Second Fermentation?

 

Second fermentation is an additional fermentation step to add excitement to your brew. Sugars are converted to acids, trace levels of alcohol and carbon dioxide gas which generates a huge amount of pressure, that's enough to cause cheap, low quality bottles to explode. This is why we launched these high quality bottles.

You can experiment with a range of different juices, whole fruit pieces, honey, herbs, spices and superfoods to create an endless range of different flavour and nutritional combinations. The fermentation helps to unlock nutritional compounds in your foods, making them more bioavailable but most appealing is it creates the most delicious probiotic fizzy drinks and kefir, low in sugar and much more economical and probiotic rich than store bought products. 

How to Second Ferment Kombucha or Water Kefir?

1) Once you've fermented your milk kefir, kombucha or water kefir,  mix in a jug, 1 part fruit juice with 9 parts Kombucha/ Water Kefir + any spices and superfood like turmeric, acai, spirulina, maca, matcha etc + any herbs like mint, basil etc 

There are lots of recipes ideas in our free NourishmeOrganics VIP Group here

2) Pour Mixture into Second Ferment Bottle, leaving 3 to 5 cm headspace and cap tightly.

3) Leave at room temperature for 2 to 7 days depending on the weather at the time i.e a warmer temperature will result in a faster second ferment ( the longer you leave the less sugar will be left but your brew will be more sour and potentially higher in alcohol**). We recommend tasting your brew daily to establish the taste that you like, and at this point you can end the ferment. Tasting is a good way to remind you to open and release any excess pressure in the bottle.

4) Transfer brew to a refrigerator to chill. 

5) Open and Serve* 

How to Second Ferment Milk Kefir?

1) Once you've fermented your milk kefir, mix in a jug, milk kefir + honey + fruit pieces + any spices and superfood like turmeric, acai, spirulina, maca, matcha, chia seeds etc + any herbs like mint, basil, nuts etc. We recommend starting with a small piece of lemon or orange peel or a couple of fresh berries. You can even make a savoury version using garlic, pepper and herbs. The flavour combinations are endless. So have a play.

There are lots of recipes ideas in our free NourishmeOrganics VIP Group here

2) Pour Mixture into Second Ferment Bottle and cap tightly.

3) Leave at room temperature for 1 to 4 hours.

4) Transfer brew to a refrigerator to chill.

5) Open and Serve* 

*Caution: Water kefir and Kombucha Second Ferments may become very fizzy so be careful when opening lid after fermentation  

**Advisory Statement

All fermented foods may contain trace amounts of alcohol.  If fermented foods are being prepared for children, breastfeeding mothers, or pregnant women please seek medical advice from a trained medical practitioner before consuming these products.