Bottlebrush Ferments have created an artisan product which takes its name from a resilient flower, growing in Australia which they claim helps to heal the gut, detoxify the body and improve digestion with its unique form of live probiotics. There are around 100 trillion bacteria living in your body, and if your stomach is out of order your entire wellbeing can also suffer. I’m very familiar with the idea of probiotics in yogurt form but this is a new concept to me, and I’d never tried Lacto-fermented (the term “lacto” here refers to the production of lactic acid, not lacto as in lactose or milk sugar), products before. I’m also not a big fan of cabbage so could Bottlebrush Ferments change my mind? I recently taste-tested four Bottlebrush Ferments flavours, read on to find out what I discovered in this review…
Bottlebrush Ferments combines creators’ Ben Payne and Hesh Daud’s enthusiasm for fermented products along with a powerful combination of various superfoods including beetroot, turmeric, pineapple and chilli to create a unique and healthy range of Lacto Ferments which aims to add a colourful and creative touch to a whole host and variety of meals. The incorporated superfoods are said to extend the health benefits of the product. Bottlebrush Ferments also state that their product may offer further health advantages including improved energy, mood and better skin.
This product is vegan but of course, you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy it and it pairs equally well with meats and cheeses. I was intrigued to read that creator Ben completed a 30-day elimination diet to improve his gut health and immune system, now firmly believing that incorporating fermented foods – Sauerkraut, Kefir and Kombucha tea have vastly contributed to improving his health.
Presentation & Packaging:
First off, observing the jars, my impression of the product packaging is that of a very trendy health product. The sort of product that would appeal to ‘Hipsters’ from Hampstead. The jar has a clear black and white label and creates the feel of ‘small company friendly ethics’, and ‘handmade with care’.
Appearance & Taste:
The Red One
This is once again a Kimchi Korean ferment and is a winner for me as I love chilli. It was surprisingly hot but the cool product and hot spices give this one a unique twist which would pair brilliantly with fish and chicken and quickly liven up any food in need of a chilli kick.
The Yellow One
I love these beautiful sunshine colours! There is a familiar feel to this product – it kind of reminds me of pickles but not as we know it. I am very pleasantly surprised by the taste here. The cabbage has been transformed by the fermentation process and is now a soft-yet-crunchy delight that melts in the mouth. I am a fan of turmeric in general but the combination with pineapple is inspired. This is a sunny-day blue-sky feeling captured in a jar, if that’s possible.
The Green One
This one is a little more challenging as it’s Kimchi – fermented Korean cabbage that’s a whole new experience for me. It contains Chinese cabbage, mooli, (Daikon) garlic, ginger and spring onion with fresh cucumber, Pak Choi and coriander. This has a tangy taste with the lovely contrast of cool cucumber. I think you will love this if you like your ferments sharp cool and tangy.
The Purple One
This is a revelation! Beetroot always has a nice earthy flavour that now has a smart caraway ‘kick’ at the end. I think I might be getting converted more and more all the time here.
Value:
The average price here is £6.50 for a 450g jar and I would describe this as great value. As well as stimulating the taste buds that other foods don’t quite reach, there’s also the added advantage that this is a convenient food of the healthy kind.
Summary:
What I liked about the Bottlebrush Ferments experience is the way that it has changed my mind about vegetables I previously did not enjoy. I have now found a brand new way to eat cabbage that I like! Also I found that the same evening my mind seemed far clearer and my mood was uplifted as if there was more serotonin in my brain. So this is a fantastic mind and wellness health food as well as a superbly tasty one. I think I’ll continue to consume this product as part of my diet from now on, as I am keen to see how it improves my mind and body in the future.
