Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys

"Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys highlights the personal anecdotes that ignited his passion for fermentation. We are transported to each remote village through him and introduced to the people behind the recipes he has shared. Fermentation is an important method of food preservation that brings unique textures and flavors to many dishes. Sandor has managed to expose the ancient techniques behind the practice while providing approachable recipes for the home cook."—Daniel Boulud, chef/restaurateur, author of Letters to a Young Chef

"In his Fermentation Journeys, Sandor Katz’s life of curiosity-filled travel and exploration elicits a sense of wonder as tastes, sights, and smells leap off the pages to ignite your imagination. This book doesn’t simply serve as a near-encyclopedic travelogue to countless ferments from around the world. It cements the grandfather of the fermentation revival as a great naturalist of our time; an enthusiastic adventurer seeking out not giant beasts, but microscopic ones, through friendships, community, recipes, and more-than-human stories."—David Zilber, chef, fermenter, food scientist, and coauthor of The Noma Guide to Fermentation

"Sandor Katz has done it again. This time he learns alongside all of us as we travel the world with him and study centuries-old cultural traditions of all things fermented."—Dan Barber, chef/co-owner, Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns; author of The Third Plate

"When I absentmindedly wandered into Sandor Katz’s session at the IACP Conference in San Francisco in 2012, a whole new world opened up to me. Ever since then I’ve been spreading the gospel and devouring every snippet of information. This gem of a book, detailing Sandor’s ‘fermentation journeys’ around the world, is a dream come true for this Irish fermentation nerd."—Darina Allen, Ballymaloe Cookery School

“More than just fermentation cookbook meets travel journal, Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys is a love letter to the world fermentation community. Like threads of forest mycelium linking underground communication networks, this worldwide community shares knowledge and a belief that fermentation can heal. As Katz documents recipes and techniques, he focuses on the story of place and the individuals that shared their traditions or ideas. In this way, it is a book the fermentation community built.”—Kirsten K. Shockey, author of Homebrewed Vinegar and coauthor of Miso, Tempeh, Natto & Other Tasty Ferments

“Sandor Katz takes us on a wild ride around the globe as he discovers a global perspective on fermentation. He proves that we are all hard-wired to crave fermented foods, no matter where we live. It’s fascinating to see how fermentation brings us all together and inspires and informs our own traditions back home. Buy the ticket, take the ride, and hang on tight.”—Sean Brock, chef, author of South and Heritage

"I’ve learned more from Sandor Katz over the years than from any other culinarian that I’ve worked with or studied under. This book takes you on a mystical and magical journey through the seemingly endless rabbit hole that is fermentation. From koji to chocolate sauerkraut cake to doubanjiang, Sandor not only shows us how to make these delicious foods but also thoroughly explains the how’s and why’s behind them. Get your crocks and salt ready to start fermenting!"—Jeremy Umansky, chef/owner, Larder Delicatessen & Bakery; coauthor of Koji Alchemy

"Sandor Katz opens our eyes to the generous humans around the globe sharing their cultures through the lens of fermentation. Each vivid story transports you to moments of discovery and wonder, sparking memories of a crafty family member who makes something delicious, pulled from the depths of their home, that you can’t get enough of. Multiply that experience one hundred times and you’ll begin to understand the power of this book."—Rich Shih, coauthor of Koji Alchemy

"What incredible adventures around the world! Many of the ferments featured here, both traditional and experimental, will be unknown to a majority of readers. I predict Sandor’s book will inspire yet another wave of fermentation enthusiasts. The recipes here will get us started."—Ken Albala, professor of history, University of the Pacific

“If you need a reminder of the transformative powers of fermentation, its unifying capacity across cultures, and its pervasiveness on our planet, buy this book.”—Pete Halupka, co-owner, Harvest Roots Ferments

“Sandor Katz documents the joys, quirks, and health benefits of fermentation in all its global variety. This encyclopedic cookbook-cum-travel memoir provides 60 recipes that are seeded within a broader discussion of regional techniques and traditions, peppered with profiles of the experts and eateries discovered by Katz on his voyages. . . .This international romp is funky in the best of ways.”—Publishers Weekly

“Part travelogue, part cookbook, part chemistry experiment, Katz’s new book is a fascinating look at fermented foods the world over, and it aims, always, to be a respectful one.”—BookPage

"A superb book, by a great human being, completely original, beautifully written, and based on carefully recorded field research worldwide. The large number of color photos make a major contribution to the entire book.... I learned SO much!"—Bill Shurtleff, co-author of The Book of Miso and The Book of Tempeh

“The recipes are so approachable that you might find yourself experimenting with everything from natto to pulque to pao cai—or even dig into your family’s culture for recipes to revive.”—Civil Eats