Chat with my aunt ruined store-bought kimchi for me forever

She visited last weekend and brought her homemade batch. I was bragging about the brand I buy from H Mart. She took one bite and said "this tastes like they bottled the air from a factory." Told me she uses zero sugar and lets it sit for 6 weeks minimum. Tried hers and it had this deep funky kick I never got from any jar. Now I'm prepping my first real batch today. Anyone else have a family member who made you feel basic about your ferments?

2 comments

2 Comments

stella_roberts14d ago

My Korean neighbor's 12-day kimchi ruined grocery store versions for me permanently.

terryrobinson14d ago

You said "12-day kimchi" - is that how long she let it ferment or was that the whole process from start to finish? I grew up around a Korean family and they always made theirs in big batches that would sit for weeks before they even cracked the lid. Just curious if the long fermentation is what makes it way better than the store stuff.