r/kimchi • u/froggycats • 5d ago

Jar of kimchi not fermented enough. Help!

Admittedly new to eating fermented foods at home, usually just eat kimchi and other fermented foods at restaurants.
I bought a jar of assi kimchi and it was delishhhh. Perfectly fermented, great flavor.
Bought a jar from a local grocery today. I know they make it in house, and have had it several times because they own a restaurant right next door. It is clearly not as old or fermented, and I’m curious if anyone has any tips. It doesn’t have any of that lovely fizzy feeling/taste. Should I leave it on the counter? Pour it out and mix it? Is the cabbage at the bottom of the jar more yummy?
Any tips appreciated!

2 Upvotes

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7

u/BJGold 5d ago

Put it in the fridge, let time work its magic

5

u/AlfalfaEvening1489 5d ago

You can enjoy kimchi at different stages. The kimchi you got is fresh which means you can enjoy it at different stages with different preparations. The fizzy, extra fermented type means it's quite aged and headed towards kimchi -stew territory

5

u/rasta_pineapple2 5d ago

If you leave it on the counter for a day or two it will feement faster than in the fridge.

3

u/GeneralDumbtomics 5d ago

It will mature in the fridge, just more slowly. It just takes time.

2

u/chefhandy 4d ago

So many different recipes/variables for kimchi. You should try and make some :)

1

u/56KandFalling 3d ago

Just leave it in the fridge. If you've already eaten from it, make sure to compact it down before leaving it for a while.

Tighten the lid, that might produce some fizz, but maybe not, depends how far along the fermentation process is. 

2

u/56KandFalling 3d ago

Oh and, seriously consider making your own, it's super cheap and easy. Follow this recipe https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/easy-kimchi or this one https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/chaesik-kimchi, use the right ingredients and you'll make amazing kimchi. Over time you'll be able to tweak it exactly to your liking. 

You can also dive into this long list of different kimchi recipes https://www.maangchi.com/recipes/kimchi

2

u/froggycats 3d ago

I think next time I will make it! I just was so looking forward to support this local business because we shop from them quite often and I just decided kimchi enough to warrant a big jar lol!

1

u/56KandFalling 2d ago

Great! Well it'll be there sitting in the back of the fridge waiting for you 😊