They remain shelf stable as long as they’re kept free from contamination (for example, always using a clean spoon). We recommend storing them at room temperature so you can enjoy the perfect scoop and drizzle.

Yes your product is still safe to enjoy.  Our products are not heat canned so the lids do not create a safety seal; they are just hand screwed on to prevent spillage. 

Yes, your fermented foods are completely safe to enjoy.  Our krauts are really active and continue to ferment during transit which causes pressure to build up under the lid. Please open them slowly over a sink with a bowl under the jar to catch the liquid that sprays out. You can then pack the kraut back in the jar and pour the liquid back in. Please store these jars in the fridge after you release the pressure.

All the products on our website including sauerkraut, other ferments, loose and powdered teas, tinctures, and nut butters are shelf-stable. 

While they technically won't spoil, we recommend enjoying them within a year of purchase to enjoy the best quality and flavor. This advice applies whether the products are opened or unopened, as the shelf life doesn’t change if the product is opened. 

For optimal flavor and texture, we recommend storing sauerkraut and other fermented products in the fridge.  

For all other products including loose & powdered teas, tinctures, and nut butters, we recommend storing them in a cool, dark cabinet away from direct sunlight.

We use the minimal amount required to provide an adequate and safe  environment that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibits the growth of any harmful pathogens.  This usually averages around 2% salt solution.  In addition, we use unrefined sea salt that provides a complex of balanced minerals, which are beneficial to many functions of health.

Yes, please do!  We accept jar returns at any of our farmers’ market locations.  We do not charge a bottle deposit therefore we do not offer a refund, but really appreciate the opportunity to re-use them!  If you’re not able to return them to us at the market we suggest finding a local vendor in your area that uses a similar jar size.  Often times they will take our jars and reuse them for their products.  This is especially true with honey vendors!

Our krauts are chopped vegetables that are sprinkled with unrefined sea salt then placed in non-plastic vessels which are left to ferment for 3-6 weeks.  We source these vegetables fresh from local, organic farmers and process them within a couple days of harvest, so they are crisp, full of nutrients and have a high moisture content (we rarely have to add water to our ferments).  During the fermentation process, the unrefined salt has an osmotic effect which pulls the liquid from the vegetables and creates a probiotic and nutrient rich brine.  Once ready, we pack our krauts with this juicy brine into glass jars which are then ready to consume.    Any excess brine is bottled up and becomes our gut tonics!  The krauts are a great way to include probiotics into any meal you consume.  The gut tonics are a great way to get probiotics during a fast or before a meal to help with digestion.

Yes, it's completely normal for our kvass and gut tonics to be fizzy. As a raw, live-culture tonic, they may continue to ferment in the bottle, naturally producing carbon dioxide and resulting in carbonation.  Often making it even more refreshing to enjoy!

We seal our jars tight enough to keep all that good juices in, but not so tight you need Popeye strength to open them. If the lid’s stuck, try these quick tips:

1. Tap the lid’s edge all around with the backside of a butter knife.
2. Peel off the label and stick it onto the lid. The label’s leftover adhesive on the glass gives you extra leverage and the label on the lid gives you more surface area with less slip.
3. Flip the jar upside down and soak the lid in warm/hot tap water for 3–4 minutes.
4. Still stuck? Contact us. We’ll send a rubber jar gripper pad free of charge.
   

One more thing: Our kraut are live culture foods that may continue to ferment in the jar. That can build pressure under the lid. To avoid surprises, open the jar slowly over a bowl.  You can learn more about it here.

Enjoy the ferment!

Our ferments are made using a wild fermentation technique, which relies on natural bacteria present on the vegetables to inoculate the ferment. Because of this, each batch can vary depending on the types of cultures that proliferate. This natural variation can lead to differences in flavor and aroma. While the ferment is completely safe to consume, it may not be to your palate. If you're not satisfied, we will be happy to replace it!

We've had no issues shipping our products in the colder winter months.  Any short-term freezing that may occur will not interfere with the quality of the ferments.  The only potential concern is that the lid may bulge due to expansion. If this happens, simply defrost the jar in the refrigerator, and you can enjoy it as usual.