history books

Kombucha Origins: The Surprising History of a 2,000-Year-Old Drink

Sourdough bread, kombucha, home improvements, meditation, vanlife conversions – the crippling anxieties and systemic shortcomings of this pandemic era have inspired us to try new things in different ways.  Kombucha, in particular, has gained massive popularity in the United States over the course of the past 10 years, and in these explorations of “at-home-in-a-pandemic-experiments” more people than ever are brewing …

The Beginner’s Guide to Vinification

Vinification is the process of turning grapes into the alcoholic beverage we know and love as wine. This process happens via fermentation. Vinification is an activity nearly as old as human civilization itself! A 2017 discovery found evidence that humans made wine as early as 8,000 years ago. These days, aspiring winemakers and enthusiasts go through years’ long courses in …

sake ceramic set

The Beginner’s Guide to Brewing and Correctly Storing Sake

The sweet, clean taste of Japan’s national drink has long since hopped the oceans and made waves on eager tastebuds around the world. Unlike wine, sake is made from fermented rice instead of grapes.  The process of making this “rice” wine is akin to that of fermenting beer – and is totally possible to try at home if you’re feeling …

wild turkey

Understanding the Spring Turkey Season in North America

The sound of gobbles and the scent of wildflowers fill the spring air during turkey season across North America. Hunting these birds is a cherished tradition across the continent. These beautiful birds are great for hunting, eating, and appreciating. Scientists estimate about 8 million turkeys live across North America. The vast majority (almost 90%) live in the U.S. Due to …

kombucha

Is Kombucha Good For You? The Surprising Benefits of Fermented Tea

Is kombucha actually healthy? Or is it simply another health fad, like coconut oil, kale, or acaí? Humans have enjoyed this fermented tea for thousands of years, starting in China and moving throughout the world. Surprisingly, given this long history of kombucha consumption, little scientific research has looked into the health effects of this drink.  Clinical Studies on Kombucha Health …

Florist’s Field Guide: Post-Harvest Care of Cut Flowers

Image by Daria Yakoleva from Pixabay Nothing brightens up a room quite like a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Unfortunately, once a flower’s stem is cut, the wilting process begins. However, it’s possible to keep flowers alive and healthy after being cut. Water and refrigeration allow them to continue to grow and even bloom after being cut.  A vase of freshwater …

beer pour

IBU Beer Scale: Ins & Outs of Bitter Beer

Neither salty nor sweet, we describe bitterness with all sorts of colorful words: harsh, astringent, sharp, pungent, acrid. It is one of the four basic taste sensations we describe through our languages. Say you were to bite down into some dandelion greens – your tastebuds, sensory cells connected to nerve fibers, quickly alert your brain. In total, there are about …

Cured meat

How Long Does Cured Meat Last?

Cured meat seems like a terrific counter to meat’s limited shelf life. But how long does it actually last? Here we’ll dig deep into the process of curing meat, why it works as a method of preservation, and learn how long cured meat lasts. What Is Cured Meat? Essentially, cured meat is a way of increasing the product’s shelf life. …

krausen, fermenation

How to Use a Fermentation Airlock

Fermentation is both an art and a science. As with any art or science, it requires the proper tools to execute successfully. A fermentation airlock is an essential piece of equipment for any home-brewer to know how to use. Fortunately, they are cheap and easy to figure out! Is a Fermentation Airlock Necessary? Some types of fermentation require airlocks and …