Does watermelon ferment well?

Watermelon rind is wonderfully crunchy and has a great texture for fermenting or pickling. Not only does it absorb flavors well, but it also stands up well when fermented . It doesn't get mushy or fall apart as easily as some other fruits/veggies – even cucumbers, which are traditionally used for pickles.

How long does it take to ferment soda?

You want the contents to reach up to the bottom of the bottle's neck but no higher. Close the top. Ferment for 2 to 4 days at room temperature and check the carbonation by opening the top slightly. Usually I get enough carbonation on day 3 or 4.

What is the difference between fermentation and carbonation?

Carbonation adds bubbles to what exists already, but there is no real change in the substance of the beverage. But fermentation, there is a chemical change to what was. The change is lasting because the substance changed.

What happens when watermelon ferments?

Once the fermentation begins inside a watermelon, it creates the perfect environment for toxic pathogens to flourish, including botulism, E. coli and Salmonella , according to the Fermentation Association.

Why did my watermelon ferment?

According to the Bangor Daily News, bacteria can be introduced into a watermelon while growing on the vine . The bacteria combine with the sugars and yeast inside the melon and start the fermentation process. The foam — which seeps out of the melon through cracks in the rind — is a sign that fermentation is happening.

What does borax do for watermelons?

First, you can spray Boron on watermelon vines, Boron is a mineral that helps to sweeten the fruit – you can make it by mixing a tablespoon of household Borax into a gallon of water. Second, melons really do like sun.

What is the process of making soda?

In the production of a carbonated beverage, the concentrated flavoring (beverage base) is combined with a nutritive or nonnutritive sweetener and water to form a syrup. The syrup is mixed with a proportioned quantity of carbonated water followed by filling and sealing the beverage in a container (NPCC, 2012).

Is it possible to ferment soda?

The Simplest Probiotic Culture Using the naturally fermenting powers of honey is a really easy and reliable way to make fermented soda . The key to making honey fermented drinks is to use honey that contains natural yeast and bacteria. Look for brands that are labeled unpasteurized or raw.

How to make soda step by step?

The Process - How to Make Soda at Home In stock pot, combine 2 gallons of water with 8 cups of sugar (2 cups per gallon of soda desired). ... Transfer “soda” to bottles (this is where the spigot on the bucket comes in very handy). ... Enjoy your homemade soda pop just as you would store-bought soda for a fraction of the price.

How do you ferment your own drinks?

You simply make a juice or infusion, add yeast to it, leave it to ferment for a short time in some kind of container & then transfer it to a closed bottle . This is a probiotic process so the fermentation will continue within the closed bottle & as the pressure builds, this is what creates the carbonation.

Watermelon Soda Recipe | The Fermentation Podcast (2024)

Jul 29 2014

Filed under Blogs, Recipes

Summer in Florida for me means it’s time for watermelons, and recently that’s started to turn into making watermelon soda! I had never tasted homemade watermelon soda before but the pictures of it always enticed me. That beautiful slightly red glow to it with that little bit of carbonation just seemed too much for me to resist so I finally broke down and made some.

Not only is this drink refreshing, it’s amazingly good for you! Here are just a few benefits of watermelon juice:

Watermelons are high in lycopene right up there with tomatoes
The bright color of the fruit means that it’s high in those good compounds like beta-carotene
Watermelon is rich in antioxidants
Watermelon has a high amount ofcitrulline which relaxes muscles and improves circulation
High in vitamin C
Very refreshing with it’s high water content that’s mineral rich

The most obvious reason to drink some watermelon soda is the amazing flavor and taste that only gets magnified when you ferment it into a nutrient rich drink full of life!

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Watermelon Soda Recipe

(Check out our updated recipe for Fermented Watermelon Soda at The Fermentation Adventure)

Optional:

Juice of 1 lemon or lime (~ 2 T.)

Mint leaves

You can do this one of two ways: ferment with pulp or strain and ferment with only the watermelon juice. I think from now on I’ll try the second way without the pulp. You can either blend up the watermelon somewhat coarsely and then put it unstrained into the mason jar to be fermented or you can strain it through a sieve first to get the pulp out and only have the juice left. If you’re straining, let the watermelon juice drain naturally and not force it through or more particles will be in the soda, otherwise you’ll be doing the same step later after it’s done fermenting.

Transfer to jar and add remaining ingredients (through sieve if necessary), topping off with water to fill to about an inch or so from the top.
Ferment for 2 days or so stirring a couple or few times a day to oxygenate the yeast in the ginger bug.

Don’t forget to cover the top so bugs and dust doesn’t get into your beautiful brewing liquid. I just used a towel and a rubber band but even a paper towel or layers of cheesecloth would work.

Between stirring a few times a day, if you haven’t filtered out the watermelon pulp, it will begin to separate into a fairly clear liquid and the bright red pulp which is normal.

Taste every day once you start to see bubbles to brew it to your desired sweetness and sourness. The fewer amount of days you brew it for the more this ends up being more like a watermelon drink recipe. The longer you ferment it, the more it ends up being more of a tangy drink that’s great with ice on the beach!

Once you get the taste that you’re looking for, strain through a sieve if you haven’t already. Otherwise you already have a clear liquid that you can bottle in flip top bottles for a day or so to carbonate if you like it fizzy. If you don’t want any carbonation, just refrigerate. Don’t forget to have one plastic bottle to check the pressure!

Notes for Next Time:

Maybe 3 T sugar instead or ferment out longer to use up more of the sugar
Mint would be really amazing in this recipe
I’ll try straining the pulp out first
You could add a drop of ice cream to make a a watermelon cream soda or a watermelon ice cream float
Also to make a watermelon cream soda, I might try adding some cream of tartar
Adding fruits like kiwi could make a nice watermelon kiwi soda

I hope you enjoyed this recipe! Let me know what you think in the comments below or if you have any great ideas, let me know! I’ll try anything that sounds good.

ginger bug, lacto-fermented soda, soda, watermelon

Watermelon Soda Recipe | The Fermentation Podcast (2024)

Watermelon Soda Recipe

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