My sauerkraut batch grew mold and I learned why

I tried making sauerkraut for the first time about 3 weeks ago. Followed every video I could find, used 2% salt by weight, packed it tight in a 1 gallon jar. After 10 days I saw this fuzzy white stuff on top and freaked out. Everyone in the fermentation groups always says throw it out if you see mold, total loss. But I did some digging and found out that as long as the mold is just on top and the brine is still good underneath, you can scrape it off and the rest is fine. I pulled like an inch of cabbage off the top, checked the pH with strips and it was at 3.5. Tasted it and it was perfect, actually the best tangy kraut Ive had. So now I think people are too quick to trash ferments over a little surface mold. Has anyone else saved a batch that way or did I just get lucky?

3 comments

3 Comments

jakel2516d ago

I mean, idk, people say you can just scrape off surface mold but I feel like that's a gamble every time. Maybe it's just me but once I see any fuzz I toss the whole batch just to be safe. You got lucky with a pH of 3.5, but what if your next batch has mold deeper down or the brine level drops? Mold spores can send roots into the cabbage even if it looks clean on top. I've had friends swear by the scrape method and then get sick later, so I'm not buying it. Plus, if you're new to fermenting, it's better to be too careful than to end up with a stomach ache over some kraut.

green.noah16d ago

Wait, you're telling me mold spores have little roots that dig into the cabbage? Dang, that's like a horror movie for your gut. I'm the guy who once ate a week-old sandwich out of his car's glovebox and lived to tell the tale, so maybe my risk meter is broken. But seriously, I get it - I've tossed whole jars of pickles because I saw one floaty thing and my brain said "nope, that's a science experiment now." Better safe than pooping your pants over some fermented vegetables, right?

-1

jenny_lee16d ago

lol @jakel25 is totally right about the roots thing, I saw a science vid once where they showed mold hyphae going way deeper than you'd think even if the surface looks fine. I did the whole scrape-and-hope thing once with some hot sauce and ended up with the worst stomach cramps of my life, never again. Better to just call it a loss and start fresh than play roulette with your insides over some cabbage.