If you are interested in fermentation and looking for resources on how-to’s, recipes, ingredients, troubleshooting, the health benefits, the history of… almost anything about fermentation; one of these books is the one for you!
If you want an in-depth look at everything from the history of fermentation to the equipment used, plus traditional recipes, The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz is a wonderful book to start with. Katz is a well known author on fermentation and has traveled the world researching cultures and traditions.
He’s collected many authentic practices and recipes (plus some fun stories) and compiled it in The Art of Fermentation. Plus, there is a whole chapter on basic concepts and equipment so that you can have an understanding of what is going on during the ferment and also know the best way to facilitate that; a chapter on the benefits of fermentation, including health and preservation; and a chapter on non-food applications of fermentation. This book would be a wonderful reference volume for all your fermentation questions.
On the other hand, if you are interested in fermentation as a method of preservation, and simply want the basic instructions, Everything Worth Preserving by Melissa K. Norris would be a wonderful place to start. This book has directions for ALL kinds of food preservation including a chapter on fermentation. It has several helpful charts such as one for brine percentages for specific fruits and vegetables. This has one fun recipe, but is mostly teaching you how to preserve your own harvest in a practical way. If you are interested in any sort of food preservation, this is the book to grab!
For those who want to get more creative, up their game, or just want some absolutely delicious ferments, The Farmhouse Culture Guide to Fermenting is a treasure trove! It has many traditional and unique recipes for kimchi, sauerkraut, other brines, kombucha, mead, sour tonic (kvass), and more! For example, White Kimchi with Bone Broth and Mushrooms, Brined Ginger Blueberries, and Elderberry Melomel. There are a couple chapters of introduction at the beginning, so if you are a beginner they definitely provide you with the information to start fermenting.
All of these are excellent resources (and you might eventually want them all), but hopefully this helps you decide which one will be most helpful for you to start with!
We carry all of these books and quite a few more at Harvey’s. (Please feel free to call us at 605-891-5107 to confirm that we have it in-stock.)