Fuss & Ferment
Consuming fermented foods provides diversity to the palette and can be a more fun and natural option than a vitamin pill.
With much conversation over probiotics, gut health, and fermented food, there's speculation over how worth it is to venture down this trendy terrain. It's easy to question if this is just another fad, as well as where to turn to if you want to explore options and incorporate it into your everyday routine. With summer here, now is the time to add additional zest to your diet and fermented foods bring additional health benefits to boot.
In a 2022 LSU AgCenter educational resource by Nutrition Specialist and Assistant Professor Elizabeth Gollub and Graduate Assistant Jordan Losavio of the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, the team examined the definition and effects of probiotics on health. They explain that probiotics are "among a group of beneficial microorganisms naturally found in the body." Their resource examines how these microorganisms typically are found in the large intestine and make up a gut microbiome. Their findings also say, "The benefits of a healthy gut go beyond digestion and the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics appear to promote cardiovascular health, improve symptoms of depression, and reduce severity of some allergies. Gut bacteria also produce most of the serotonin, a neurotransmitter known for boosting mood and promoting healthy sleep, that circulates in the blood."
They additionally share that while the health benefits of fermented foods were discovered only in the 20th century, they've been in use by humans dating back to 6000 B.C. The old saying "trust your gut" is now scientifically backed, so now is the time to take the green light and dive into new ideas for bringing more vibrancy to everyday cuisine.
Local NOLA Spots for Fermented Delights
Gingerbooch is a local business and a quarantine passion project of Luke Sirinides, a Crescent City Farmers Market vendor. His idea combines two power forces of kombucha and ginger beer, packing a punch with the bite and sweetness of ginger beer and with the kicker of kombucha. They also offer probiotic lemonade and small-batch yogurt flavored with seasonal fruits for more inspiration of what fermentation can look like.
When diving into the world of fermentations, strict culinary connotations can be cast aside. As such, Pepper and Salt provides refreshing and revitalizing takes on soup and broths even past the winter doldrums. Pepper and Salt features rotating weekly menus. One such dish of theirs this past spring was a miso tofu soup with vegetables and nori rice noodle parcel. Having soups and sipping broths stocked in your kitchen can boost creativity in the kitchen or aid in rounding out leftovers. They additionally offer sipping broths that are simmered for 48-72 hours, which enhances flavors and health benefits.
Carb lovers, do a dance. An additional carb option that can provide healthy fuel is sourdough and focaccia, which can be slowly fermented. Since sourdough and focaccia are made from wheat, consuming them can fuel the production of good bacteria in your gut. It contains vitamins and nutrients, so don't be afraid to indulge in sandwiches, morning toasts, and other ideas. Leo's Bread is a great local resource for sourdough loaves, and their sandwiches are all served on semolina focaccia. Their focaccia sandwiches include one with avocado, carrots, dill cilantro, and chili crunch; one with roasted red peppers, basil, and mozzarella; and one with country ham, cheddar, greens, and mustard.
Fermented foods allow for kicking up flavor profiles due to the time needed to produce strong flavors. As such, local resource Louisiana Pepper Exchange offers a variety of pepper purees and spreads in differing heat degrees. They're one of the state's largest pepper mash importers and can be found all around as well due to their line of restaurant ready items. Luckily, since 2020, their naturally fermented delights are consumer available and can elevate dishes, so be certain to check out the recipe section of their website.
If you may not be ready to fully stroll down the lane of fermenting, an easy way to test your tastebuds is at Bratz Y'all Bistro. After they opened at a food festival offering creative takes on bratwurst sausage sandwiches, they've only rightfully grown in popularity. Many of their traditional German dishes feature sauerkraut, such as the Drunk Pig, offering a fun way to incorporate fermented foods.
Rounding out excitement for gut health comes Big Easy Bucha. For their namesake, they offer a multitude of kombucha flavors but have also introduced organic probiotic wellness shots and tepache. That drink originates from Mexican cuisine and is fermented and made using the peel and rind of pineapples, as well as seasoned with sugar. Big Easy Bucha is on a mission to bring "big benefits and easy enjoyment." They're inviting and fun flavors can offer an afternoon pick me up or be an inspiration for at home mixology or mocktails.
For further fermenting ideas, a great in town resource is Brewstock Homebrew Supplies. They provide a range of guidance, supplies, recipes, and additional supportive materials for crafting your home brews, whether it be beer, wine, mead, or more. As the only homebrew supply store in New Orleans, you can rest assured that their knowledgeable staff can provide guidance in this vast arena. If you've found a recipe you'd like to try, you can even bring it in to have their staff share their guidance.