Sauerkraut is a traditional food in northern China, rich in vitamins and lactic acid bacteria, which is conducive to digestion and enhances immunity. However, recently, there has been a ridiculous sauerkraut incident in Heihe and Changchun, Heilongjiang, which makes people question the method and safety of pickled sauerkraut.
In both cases, it was reported that the parties involved were women, who used plastic bottles or buckets to pickle the sauerkraut, but did not deflate the container in time, causing the gas produced by the sauerkraut fermentation to be too pressurized, causing the container to burst or eject when the lid was opened. The sauerkraut squirted out violently from the container, staining the kitchen or bathroom, and the sour smell of sauerkraut filled the room, which frightened the parties and their families, and made netizens cry and laugh.
Why does pickling sauerkraut in a plastic bottle or bucket happen to "**?".Experts explain that the fermentation process of sauerkraut is a metabolic activity of microorganisms that produces gases such as carbon dioxide, and if the container is not airtight, the gas will accumulate inside the container, causing the air pressure to rise, and if it exceeds the tolerance range of the container, it will cause the container to break or eject when the lid is opened. This is more likely to happen when pickling sauerkraut in plastic bottles or barrels, which are soft, pressure-resistant, and easily deformed.
So, how do you avoid the "**" when marinating sauerkraut in plastic bottles or buckets?Experts remind that when marinating sauerkraut in plastic bottles or barrels, the container should be deflated at regular intervals to avoid excessive air pressure, or a small hole in the lid should be pierced with an awl to allow the gas to escape. In addition, it is also necessary to pay attention to the control of water and salt content of sauerkraut, too much water or too little salt will accelerate the fermentation of sauerkraut and increase the production of gas. It is best to put a layer of plastic wrap on top of the sauerkraut to isolate the air, reduce the entry of oxygen, and inhibit the over-fermentation of the sauerkraut.
However, experts also suggest that pickling sauerkraut in plastic bottles or barrels may be a food safety hazard, as plastic may release harmful substances that can affect the quality and human health of sauerkraut, and it is recommended to use safer containers such as glass bottles or ceramic jars. Glass bottles or ceramic jars are made of harder, pressure-resistant, and do not chemically react with sauerkraut, making them more suitable for pickling sauerkraut. If using glass bottles or ceramic jars, also take care to deflate the container, or make a small hole in the lid to allow the gas to escape and avoid sauerkraut"**
Pickling sauerkraut is a technical job, and you need to pay attention to the method and safety in order to eat delicious and healthy sauerkraut.
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