What's Old is New Again

     The process of preserving food by fermentation has been around for thousands of years.  It was used by all the early civilizations of the Ancient World and also a tried and true practice in the Americas.  With the invention of refrigeration, however, fermenting things like vegetables became passe.  But what was old is now new again.

     There are a number of local businesses that are seeing traditional foods not only as an expression of culture but through natural fermentation, or edible alchemy, the term coined by Carly & Dave Dougherty, a source of ancestral wisdom which nourishes both mind and body.  Together Carly & Dave operate a Philadelphia based business they call Foods and Ferments.  While their product line is concise, they do elevate and educate the public to some very creative nourishing live food.  Among their products are 4 varieties of sauerkraut, seasonal kimchis, 3 kinds of pickles, beans and carrots as well as interesting beverages such as kimbucha, beet kvass and fermented pickle juice.

    

     This sounds like a day trip is in store for Vinny to learn more!