Helpful websites, books, videos, and communities for sauerkraut and fermentation enthusiasts.
Authoritative Sources
Government & University Extensions
USDA National Center for Home Food Preservation
- Website: https://nchfp.uga.edu/
- Resource: Complete guide to fermentation safety
- Best for: Safety guidelines, canning instructions
- Free: Yes
Penn State Extension
- Resource: "Let's Preserve: Fermentation - Sauerkraut and Pickles"
- Best for: Science-based fermentation guidance
- Free: Yes
Ohio State University Extension
- Resource: Food preservation guides
- Best for: Detailed fermentation instructions
- Free: Yes
Websites & Blogs
MakeSauerkraut.com
- Focus: Comprehensive sauerkraut guides
- Best for: Beginners to advanced
- Features: Free PDF guides, email course
- Quality: Excellent, science-based
Fermented Food Lab
- Focus: All fermented foods
- Best for: Tips and troubleshooting
- Features: Seasonal guides
- Quality: Excellent
Wild Fermentation Forum
- Website: wildfermentationforum.com
- Focus: Community discussion
- Best for: Asking questions, troubleshooting
- Quality: Active community, helpful members
Cultures for Health
- Website: culturesforhealth.com
- Focus: Fermentation education + products
- Best for: Learning + supplies
- Features: Extensive library of guides
Grow Your Pantry
- Focus: Home fermentation guides
- Best for: Practical tips and storage
- Quality: Good
Books
"Wild Fermentation" by Sandor Ellix Katz
- The fermentation bible
- Comprehensive coverage of all ferments
- Philosophy and practical guidance
- Best for: Serious fermenters
- Available: Bookstores, libraries
"The Art of Fermentation" by Sandor Ellix Katz
- Deep dive into fermentation science and culture
- Reference book
- Best for: Understanding fermentation deeply
- Available: Bookstores, libraries
"Fermented Vegetables" by Kirsten & Christopher Shockey
- Specific to vegetable fermentation
- Lots of recipes and variations
- Beautiful photos
- Best for: Recipe inspiration
- Available: Bookstores, libraries
"The Noma Guide to Fermentation" by René Redzepi and David Zilber
- Professional/chef approach
- Advanced techniques
- Innovative applications
- Best for: Serious enthusiasts
- Available: Bookstores
YouTube Channels
"It's Alive with Brad Leone" (Bon Appétit)
- Fun, entertaining fermentation series
- Sauerkraut episode is excellent
- Best for: Visual learners, entertainment
- Quality: High production value
"Mary's Nest"
- Traditional fermentation methods
- Detailed instructions
- Homesteading focus
- Best for: Traditional methods
- Quality: Very detailed
"Fermentaholics"
- Dedicated fermentation channel
- Multiple sauerkraut videos
- Best for: Practical demonstrations
- Quality: Good
"Joshua Weissman"
- Some fermentation content
- High production value
- Best for: Modern approach
- Quality: Excellent
Podcasts
"Fermentation Podcast"
- Interviews with fermentation experts
- Science and culture
- Best for: Deep dives while driving/walking
"The Fermentation Podcast"
- Different from above
- Homebrewing and fermentation
- Includes vegetable fermentation
Reddit Communities
r/fermentation
- Active community
- Troubleshooting help
- Photo sharing
- Best for: Quick questions, inspiration
r/sauerkraut
- Specific to sauerkraut
- Smaller community
- Best for: Sauerkraut-specific questions
Facebook Groups
"Fermentation" (Various groups)
- Search for local fermentation groups
- Active communities
- Photo sharing and troubleshooting
- Best for: Community support
Instagram Accounts
@fermentationists
- Beautiful fermentation photos
- Inspiration
- Tips and tricks
@ferment.works
- Professional fermentation content
- Recipes and guides
Search #sauerkraut, #fermentation, #lactofermentation
- Tons of inspiration
- Real people's batches
- Ideas for variations
Scientific Resources
"Effects of Temperature on Fermentation Quality of Sauerkraut"
- Research papers available online
- Best for: Understanding the science
- Quality: Peer-reviewed
ResearchGate
- Search for fermentation research
- Scientific papers
- Best for: Deep scientific understanding
Equipment Suppliers
Fermentation-Specific
Masontops
- Website: masontops.com
- Products: Fermentation lids, weights, airlocks
- Quality: Excellent
- Price: Moderate
Fermentaholics
- Website: fermentaholics.com
- Products: Complete kits, weights
- Quality: Good
- Features: Educational content
Cultures for Health
- Website: culturesforhealth.com
- Products: Fermentation supplies, cultures
- Quality: Excellent
- Features: Extensive education
General Kitchen Suppliers
Amazon
- Wide selection of fermentation equipment
- Read reviews carefully
- Price: Varies
Restaurant supply stores
- Good prices on jars and containers
- Food-safe equipment
Hardware stores
- Mason jars
- Jars and containers
- Often cheaper than specialty stores
Local Resources
Fermentation Workshops
- Check local community centers
- Cooking schools
- Health food stores
- Farm markets
Farmers Markets
- Find other fermenters
- Fresh, local cabbage
- Community connections
Food Co-ops
- Often have fermentation supplies
- Community boards for classes
- Local connections
Temperature Monitoring
Weather Resources for Australia
Bureau of Meteorology
- Website: bom.gov.au
- Your official weather source
- Best for: Planning fermentation timing
WillyWeather
- Website: willyweather.com.au
- Detailed local forecasts
- Best for: Local NSW weather
Specific to Your Location (Scotts Head, NSW)
Seasonal Guide for NSW
Best fermentation months:
- Autumn (March-May): Excellent temperatures
- Spring (September-November): Good temperatures
- Winter (June-August): Can be too cold, may need warming
- Summer (December-February): Can be too hot, need cooling
Local Resources in NSW
Community gardens:
- Often have fermentation knowledge
- May host workshops
Health food stores:
- Coastal NSW has good options
- Ask about local fermenters
Further Learning
Online Courses
Udemy
- Various fermentation courses
- Look for highly-rated ones
- Often on sale
Skillshare
- Fermentation classes
- Free trial available
YouTube University
- Free!
- Tons of content
- Variable quality
In-Person Learning
Community education:
- Check local community colleges
- Adult education programs
- Weekend workshops
Food preserving groups:
- Many communities have these
- Often include fermentation
Troubleshooting Help
Where to Ask Questions
- Wild Fermentation Forum: Knowledgeable community
- r/fermentation: Quick responses
- Facebook groups: Active communities
- This guide: Reference the troubleshooting section!
How to Ask Good Questions
Include:
- How long fermenting
- Temperature
- Salt amount/type
- What you're seeing/smelling/tasting
- Photos if possible
Gets better answers!
Food Safety Resources
Botulism and Fermentation
CDC (Centers for Disease Control)
- Information on botulism
- Clarifies low risk with proper fermentation
WHO (World Health Organization)
- Food safety guidelines
pH Testing Resources
Where to buy pH strips:
- Amazon
- Homebrew stores
- Chemistry supply stores
- Some pharmacies
pH meter sources:
- Amazon
- Aquarium supply stores
- Homebrew stores
Inspiration: Variations
Flavour Inspiration Websites
MakeSauerkraut.com
- Tons of flavour combinations
- Seasonal variations
Fermented Food Lab
- Creative combinations
Cultures for Health
- Recipe library
Popular Variations to Try
Spices:
- Caraway (traditional)
- Juniper berries
- Dill
- Mustard seeds
- Coriander
Vegetables:
- Carrot (adds colour and sweetness)
- Beets (beautiful pink colour)
- Apples (sweet-sour balance)
- Garlic (bold flavour)
- Ginger (Asian-inspired)
- Turmeric (golden kraut)
Styles:
- Kimchi (Korean)
- Cortido (Latin American)
- Baechu (Asian)
- Russian-style (with caraway)
Apps
Fermentation Tracking
Fermentus (iOS/Android)
- Track your ferments
- Set reminders
- Log notes
Fermentation Calculator
- Calculate salt percentages
- Brine calculators
Supply Chain
Where to Buy Cabbage
Cheapest:
- Farmers markets (in season)
- Direct from farms
- Asian grocery stores
Most convenient:
- Supermarkets
- Green grocers
Best quality:
- Farmers markets
- Organic stores
- Your own garden!
Bulk Salt Sources
Best value:
- Restaurant supply stores
- Online bulk suppliers
- Health food stores (bulk bins)
Avoid overpaying:
- Small jars from supermarkets
- "Special" fermentation salt (regular sea salt is fine!)
Community
Finding Local Fermenters
Methods:
- Search "fermentation [your city]" on Facebook
- Check Meetup.com
- Ask at health food stores
- Community gardens
- Farmers markets
Benefits:
- Share knowledge
- Swap ferments
- Bulk buy supplies
- Fermentation parties!
Staying Current
Follow These Topics
Google Alerts:
- Set up for "fermentation" or "sauerkraut"
- Stay updated on research
Social Media:
- Follow hashtags: #fermentation #sauerkraut #fermentedfoods
- Join groups
- Engage with community
Continual Learning
Experiment:
- Try new flavours
- Different temperatures
- Various containers
- Different cabbage types
Document:
- Take photos
- Keep notes
- Track what works
- Learn from "failures"
Share:
- Gift your kraut
- Teach others
- Join community
- Pass on knowledge
This Guide
About This Guide
Created: October 2025
Purpose: Comprehensive reference for sauerkraut fermentation
Based on:
- University extension research
- Fermentation experts
- Scientific studies
- Practical experience
Not medical advice: Consult healthcare providers for medical questions
Feedback
This guide was created specifically for you! As you continue your fermentation journey:
- Take notes on what works
- Add your own observations
- Customize for your conditions
- Share with others
Final Thoughts
Remember:
- Fermentation is forgiving
- Trust your senses
- Be patient
- Experiment
- Have fun!
- Don't overthink it
You've got this! You now have everything you need to make excellent sauerkraut.