Blackberry Mint Kombucha

Adding fruit and a small amount of sugar for the secondary fermentation results in a refreshingly fizzy kombucha.

Strawberry, Rhubarb, and Parsley Kombucha

Brewing kombucha with parsley instead of tea creates a subtle base for showing off more delicate fruity and herbal flavors.

Water Kefir from 'Mastering Fermentation'

Milk kefir is a pretty common sight in the dairy aisle these days—or at least it is in California. Much more mysterious is its lactose-free cousin, water kefir. Both drinks are fermented with similar SCOBYs (symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeast), but milk kefir grains feed on the natural sugars in the milk while water kefir needs additional sugar or fruit juice to get going. Mary Karlin provides recipes for both in her new cookbook, Mastering Fermentatio. Today, we're trying our hand at the ...

Bran-Fermented Vegetables from 'Mastering Fermentation'

Even if I'd never tried making salami or kombucha before doesn't mean I haven't put it into my body at some point. But these bran-fermented vegetables are a different story. Called nuka in Japan, they're traditionally made by burying relatively dense vegetables, like daikon or carrot, in a salty fermented rice bran mixture fortified with kelp, miso, and/or beer. The vegetables take only a day or so to ferment, and emerge from the bran relatively crisp, tasting lightly of salted sourdough.

How to Make Homemade Yogurt

It's easy to make yogurt at home, but it helps to understand the process. Here's how to make most kinds of yogurt, including luscious thick styles like Greek yogurt and labneh.

DIY Root Beer

Homemade root beer is earthy, bold, and sweet all at the same time.

Homemade Sauerkraut

Everything you need to know about how to make sauerkraut at home, including the science and process behind it, as well as the equipment required to make it safely (and deliciously!), and the best recipe for homemade batches.

Fast Sour Beer

Most sour beers take a year or more to brew at home. This one is ready in four to five weeks.

How to Make Chai

Chai, in the context of Indian cuisine, refers to tea made from boiled black tea with spices and boiled and aerated milk. Learn why tea type selection matters and how to properly brew, spice, and rest the perfect cup of chai.

Homemade Ginger Beer

Ginger beer is ginger ale's grown-up cousin: much more gingery and a little less sweet, but still (mostly) non-alcoholic. It can be made easily at home with simple ingredients and materials.