If it’s tangy, spicy or has a little funk to it, I’ll take extra. Double ‘kraut on my Reuben? Yes, please. Does my gas station haul include a kombucha? Absolutely. And yes, if you put it between two slices of sourdough, I will eat it.
Fermenting is one of the oldest methods of preservation, and in today’s world, it also provides a great boost to gut health. Beyond the health benefits, fermentation adds a unique funk to often unassuming foods. Fortunately, there are several local producers keeping it both funky and flavorful, offering top-tier fermented food and beverages for your fridge or pantry.
Small World Food offers a standout lineup of funky ferments, including dilly beans, miso and fermented garlic (a personal favorite). But it’s their sauerkraut that truly stands out — seven varieties of crunchy, flavorful krauts. Their curry kraut brings a fun, bright twist on the classic, with flavors of ginger, cumin and turmeric, plus mustard-like notes with a hint of coriander. Their garlic kraut, an elevated version of traditional sauerkraut, is a must-try for your next Reuben or brat; the perfect balance of zippiness, crunch, and garlicky goodness. Find Small World products at Abundance Co-Op Market (571 South Ave.), Niblack Foods (900 Jefferson Rd., Building 9 Ste. 904), Lori’s Natural Foods (900 Jefferson Rd. Building 1 Ste 105) and the Rochester Public Market. smallworldfood.com
Asia Market Groceries (3047 W Henrietta Rd.) is a hidden gem in Rochester, and their house kimchi is a particular standout. This is, hands down, some of the best kimchi I’ve had—balanced, with a great crunch and just the right amount of garlicky heat to keep you coming back for more. The rich aroma when you open the quart container is a delight (if you’re a fan of funk). Bright flavors of ginger and garlic shine through, complemented by the unmistakable heat from gochugaru — a Korean chili powder — and deep umami notes from fish sauce. This kimchi is super versatile and could be used as a sandwich topping, in a rice bowl or eaten right out of the container. While this alone is worth making the trip to Asia Market Groceries — don’t be afraid to grab something else while you’re there, it’s a candy land of delicious products. facebook.com/AsiaMarketRochester
Clover Meadow Creamery makes one of my favorite products I’ve tasted recently: goat milk yogurt. If you love goat cheese but haven’t tried goat yogurt, you’re in for a treat with this rich, savory-leaning yogurt. It’s thinner than a typical “American” yogurt, with a smooth, velvety texture and tangy flavor. I tried both the plain and vanilla varieties, constantly switching between the two to decide which I liked more. The yogurt dissolves in your mouth and both flavors pair wonderfully with toppings like salted nuts, berries and honey. (As someone with a dairy sensitivity, this is one product I’ll risk it all for …) I hope to see a few of you in the dairy section of Lori’s Natural Foods or Abundance Co-Op, fighting over the last jar of Clover Meadow’s goat milk yogurt. clovermeadowcreamery.com
Rochester has several great kombucha brewers, but one of my go-tos is Kombucharista, created by Brenna Multala. I love this brand for its dynamic approach — it stands out as both a specialty non-alcoholic beverage and a low-funk, approachable kombucha. The rosemary paloma is a personal favorite, along with the other twists on classic cocktails (each flavor is inspired by a familiar bar bev and can double as a gut-healthy mixer for your at-home bar). As someone who enjoys kombucha as a hangover cure or a midday pick-me-up, I can confirm Kombucharista’s fermented beverages belong in every fridge; for every occasion. Kombucharista is available at Lori’s Natural Foods, AltBar (1947 E. Main St.) and a handful of local restaurants throughout the city. kombucharista.com
If you don’t have a stop at Jen’s Artisan Breads (682 Winton Rd. N.) on your list of weekly errands, you might need to add it. When I think of great breads, a few key elements come to mind: durability, texture, flavor and appearance. Well, Jen and her team are getting 10s, 10s, 10s across the board from me. The ratio of outer crunch to inner softness makes for great sandwich bread, soup bread or the ol’ rip a piece off and shove it in my mouth kind of bread. There’s a clear yet subtle tang to the sourdough that makes it a star on its own or with a little butter, ham and dijon. Grab a loaf or two, stick the extra in your freezer and enjoy some of the best bread in the Flour City. I’ll see you in line on Saturdays. jensartisanbread.square.site
Joe Morrell is a contributor to CITY.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
