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What is fermentation?

Incorporate fermented foods into your daily routine and improve your health starting from your gut!

What are fermented foods?

Fermentation is the process by which food is transformed by the action of microorganisms, producing nutrients such as enzymes, amino acids, and organic acids.

There are several types of fermented foods:

  • Fermented plant foods: miso, soy sauce, natto, pickles, amazake

  • Fermented animal foods: yogurt, cheese, fermented butter

  • Fermented foods from overseas: Kimchi, Sauerkraut, Kombucha

The benefits of fermented foods

  • Improves the intestinal environment and increases beneficial bacteria (ideal for intestinal health)

  • Beautiful skin and anti-aging (vitamin production through fermentation)

  • Boosts immunity (activates immune cells in the intestines)

  • Eliminates waste products (detox effect)

  • Increased nutrients! (Enzymes and nutrients produced by fermentation)

Fermentation powerhouse Japan

Japan is a country with a wide variety of fermented foods, even when viewed from a global perspective. The four seasons and the climate of each region are suitable for fermentation, and a wide variety of fermented foods have been created using an abundance of agricultural produce, such as rice, vegetables, and soybeans. Typical Japanese fermented foods: • Condiments: miso, soy sauce, vinegar, etc. • Pickles: pickled in rice bran, pickled in narazuke, etc. • Alcoholic beverages: sake, shochu, etc. • Others: natto, amazake, etc.

How to incorporate fermented foods

Here are some easy ways to incorporate fermented foods into your daily routine.

4 ideas for incorporating fermented foods into your daily routine

1. Use fermented seasonings

Fermented seasonings such as miso, soy sauce, and vinegar are examples of fermented foods that are easy to incorporate into your diet. Simply adding them to your regular cooking can help support your intestinal environment. However, some are high in salt, so be sure to consume them in moderation.

2. Replace staple foods with ingredients that encourage fermentation

By choosing glutinous barley, brown rice, whole wheat bread, and pasta instead of refined white rice or wheat flour, you can get plenty of dietary fiber, which helps with fermentation in the intestines. Combining these with fermented foods can be even more effective for intestinal health.

3. Eat a balanced diet of fermented foods

Fermented foods such as natto, kimchi, pickles, and yogurt each contain different types of beneficial bacteria. Eating a small amount every day will deliver a variety of bacteria to your intestines and improve your intestinal environment.

4. Incorporate amazake and shio koji into your cooking

Amazake, also known as a drinkable IV drip, is rich in vitamins and amino acids, making it perfect for a morning energy boost. Shio-koji brings out the umami flavor of food and utilizes the power of fermentation while reducing salt content. It's also recommended for use in dressings and pickling dishes.

Q&A | Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I eat fermented foods every day?

A: Fermented foods can be expected to have beneficial effects on your health if you eat them in small amounts every day.

Q: Is it bad to eat too many fermented foods?

A: Some foods are high in salt, so be mindful of the amount you eat.

Fermented Food Course

We offer the following courses for those who want to learn more about fermented foods.

▶ Fermentation Planner Course here

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