Frequently Asked Questions

We make living, unpasteurized fermented foods in small batches, using simple ingredients, traditional methods, and plenty of time. Our roots are in the foods we grew up with and the belief that good fermentation deserves patience and care.

Our ferments contain living microorganisms and continue to change after they are packed. Their flavor, texture, and level of activity can evolve over time. Refrigeration slows that process.

Our ferments are unpasteurized. We keep them refrigerated rather than heat-processing them into shelf-stable products.

Wild fermentation uses the microorganisms naturally present on vegetables rather than added commercial starter cultures. We prepare the ingredients, create the right conditions, and monitor each batch as it develops.

Our fermented pickles and sauerkraut develop their tang through fermentation. That is different from quick pickles, which get their acidity from added vinegar. Some other recipes, including our hot sauce, contain apple cider vinegar, so check the ingredients for the particular product.

Vegetables vary with the harvest, and wild fermentation responds to temperature, time, and the ingredients themselves. Small differences in tang, spice, color, crunch, and bubbling are part of traditional fermentation. If a jar seems unusually different or disappointing, we would like to hear from you.

Beet kvass is a savory, tangy fermented beet drink. It has an earthy beet flavor and comes in several varieties. It is different from sweet beet juice and from bread-based kvass.

Brine is the flavorful liquid from a vegetable ferment. Our bottled brines let you enjoy that tangy, savory liquid on its own or use it in dressings, sauces, and other dishes.

We use mostly certified organic ingredients and also source from local farms using organic practices. Not every ingredient in every product is certified organic. For example, the Napa cabbage in our kimchi may come from local growers who are not certified organic. Please check the individual product information.

Open the product details in our shop and check the package label. Each recipe is different, so review the product you are choosing rather than assuming all our ferments have the same ingredients.

Please check the ingredients and any allergen information for each product. We do not make a blanket allergen-free or dietary suitability claim for the entire range. If you need clarification about an ingredient or how a product is made, contact us before ordering.

No—our range includes mild, tangy, garlicky, earthy, and spicy flavors. Product names and descriptions will help you choose. The heat of pepper-based products can vary naturally from batch to batch.

Fermentation takes time, and we make small batches. Some products also depend on seasonal produce. The shop shows what is currently available; if you are looking for a particular favorite, send us a message.

Serve sauerkraut, kimchi, or fermented vegetables alongside a meal, on sandwiches, or with eggs, rice, or grain bowls. Enjoy kvass chilled, and use brines for a savory sip or as an ingredient. You do not need to cook our products before enjoying them.

Yes. Keep our living ferments refrigerated both before and after opening. They are not intended for room-temperature pantry storage.

Fermentation creates an acidic, salty environment that helps preserve the food during normal transit. That does not make the product shelf-stable. Refrigeration is still needed for storage and helps slow further changes in flavor, texture, and activity.

Follow the date and storage instructions on the package. Refrigerated ferments can keep for many months, but there is no single shelf life that applies to every product and every opened jar. Keep them refrigerated and use clean utensils. Contact us if you are unsure about a particular jar.

Return it to the refrigerator promptly, use a clean utensil, and close the lid securely. For vegetables packed in brine, keep the remaining vegetables beneath the brine where possible. Avoid adding water, which changes the balance of the ferment.

Living microorganisms can produce carbon dioxide. You may see bubbles or hear a hiss when opening a jar, especially after it has warmed or moved during shipping. Chill thoroughly and open slowly over a sink. Bubbles alone do not tell you whether a product is safe.

Gas from an active ferment can build pressure inside the jar. These refrigerated, unpasteurized products behave differently from vacuum-sealed, shelf-stable canned foods. A raised button can reflect fermentation, but a loose, damaged, or questionable closure deserves attention. Send us a photo if you are uncertain.

Cloudiness and settling can occur in fermented vegetables and drinks. They do not, on their own, mean something is wrong. If you see an unfamiliar change or are concerned about the product, contact us rather than guessing.

Living ferments continue to mature, even though refrigeration slows them down. Some gradual change is expected. A major or unusual change, especially an unpleasant odor or unexpectedly slimy texture, should be treated as a concern rather than dismissed as normal fermentation.

Do not taste a questionable product to check it. If you see fuzzy growth, notice an unusually unpleasant odor, or suspect contamination, stop using the jar and contact us with photographs and the batch or date information. Do not simply skim mold from a purchased jar and continue eating it.

Dry your hands, the jar, and the lid, then try a rubber jar gripper. Keep the jar upright and open carefully over a sink. Avoid forcing the lid with sharp tools or exposing chilled glass to sudden heat. If it still will not open, contact us for help.

Choose a 4-, 6-, 12-, or 18-pack, then fill it with available products from the box builder. You can repeat favorites or try several different ferments. Fill all the spaces before adding your completed box to the cart.

Yes. Mixed boxes let you combine eligible sauerkraut, kimchi, beet kvass, seasonal vegetables, brines, and hot sauce. The box builder shows the products available for your selection.

Our direct online ordering system is built around multipacks, starting with a 4-pack. For individual products, check our purchase locations and partners; their selection and ordering options vary.

The 20-pack is a separate case option for fermented brines. It is not a mixed box for the whole product range.

Larger mixed boxes currently receive automatic product discounts: 5% for a 6-pack, 12% for a 12-pack, and 15% for an 18-pack. The 4-pack uses everyday product prices. Your box total shows the savings before checkout; shipping and packaging are separate.

Make sure you have filled every space in the selected pack. If you switch pack sizes, the current builder clears your selections, so you will need to fill the new box. Out-of-stock items cannot be added.

Shipping depends on your destination and box size. Enter your address at checkout to see the available options and the charge for insulated packaging and shipping before paying.

Contact us as soon as possible with your order number and the requested change. We will check what is possible based on whether the order has already been packed or shipped.

We ship on Mondays to reduce avoidable weekend delays. Holidays, weather, or carrier closures may require a different departure day. Check any timing information provided with your order.

Shipped orders travel in insulated Styrofoam coolers, with ice packs when appropriate for the products, weather, and route. Packaging helps buffer temperature changes; it is not refrigerated freight.

Cold arrival is not guaranteed. A ferment arriving warmer than refrigerator temperature does not, by itself, mean it has spoiled. Unpack and refrigerate promptly. If the shipment is unusually delayed, damaged, or concerning, contact us.

Inspect the box and jars, and photograph any damage before cleaning. Wipe minor leakage from closed jars, refrigerate promptly, and chill thoroughly before opening. Open slowly over a sink.

A little brine can escape as fermentation pressure builds. Photograph it, clean the outside of the closed jar, and refrigerate. For heavy leakage, damage, or a questionable closure, do not consume the product; contact us.

We paused shipping during extreme summer heat to protect product quality. Shipping has resumed. Any future weather-related changes will be communicated through our website or order messages.

Yes. Choose local pickup at checkout, place your order online, and arrange a confirmed pickup time. Local pickup avoids shipping and insulated packaging charges.

Our production facility does not have regular retail hours. Production days and availability vary, so pickup and visits are by appointment only. Please wait for your pickup time to be confirmed before arriving.

Our facility is at 1300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Suite 1104, Suwanee, GA 30024. When you enter the shopping center, take the first left; the building will be on your right.

Visit our Purchase Locations page for independent retailers, select Whole Foods Market stores, and online or home-delivery partners. Availability varies by location, so check with the store or partner for a particular product.

Please contact us promptly. Include your order number, a description of the concern, and clear photographs when applicable. For a jar purchased from a retailer, include the store, product name, and batch or date information. We want to understand what happened and help resolve it.

Because these foods are perishable, we cannot accept ordinary physical returns. After reviewing an order concern, we will arrange an appropriate replacement, refund, or other resolution. Keep the product and packaging while we review the issue, where safe to do so.

We welcome wholesale inquiries. Contact us with your business name, location, and the products you are interested in. We can share current wholesale options and discuss samples and availability.

Text 678-205-6348, email tanya@culturedtraditions.com, or use our contact form. Texting is usually the easiest way to reach our small production team. If you call and we are busy making ferments, please leave a message.

Still have a question? We’re a small business with a real person on the other side. Reach out—we’re happy to help.