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Miscellaneous Articles

How to Control the pH of Fermented Foods

Food safety for fermented vegetables is simple and easy to practice. There are six main variables that you can control to ensure a safe pH of fermented foods.

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Miscellaneous Articles

How to Control the pH of Fermented Foods

Food safety for fermented vegetables is simple and easy to practice. There are six main variables that you can control to ensure a safe pH of fermented foods.

The pH of Fermented Foods is Variable

Let’s focus on the pH of fermented vegetables for this blog post. The pH of fermented vegetables should be at or below 4. Many people will throw around the number 4.6, but that is for low-acid canned food, not fermented foods.

Almost always, when lacto-fermenting foods like pickles and sauerkraut, the final pH will be at or below 4.

The potential of lactic acid fermentation to control the harmful effects of food contamination depends on multiple, controllable variables.  Have you ever learned about variables in simple science experiments? Let’s review:

  • An independent variable is a variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable. 
  • A dependent variable is a variable being tested and measured in an experiment.

Controlling the pH of Fermented Foods

In a vegetable fermentation experiment, we have something that resembles a dependent variable: The final microbial composition and pH of fermented foods.

There are SIX main factors here that we can consider as independent variables. As these independent variables change, the dependent variable (the microbial composition and pH) will change.

  1. Substrate: What vegetable is being used? What’s the available sugar content? What’s the vegetable’s microbiome composition? What other ingredients are included? Are there any protein-rich animal-based ingredients in the recipe? These substrate variations can influence which microbes grow and which nutrients are available for microbes to metabolize into other compounds. 
  2. Salt Concentration: The salt concentration determines which groups of microorganisms thrive first in fermented vegetables, thus influencing pH, oxygen levels, and which microbes can thrive after fermentation.
  3. Fermentation Time: Bacterial succession and microbial metabolism in fermentation take time. How long fermentation occurs impacts if GABA, melatonin,  Phenolic compounds, exopolysaccharides, and beneficial bioactive peptides are produced or not.
  4. Temperature: Too low temperatures can inhibit vegetable fermentation, too high temperatures can ruin the flavor and texture. In some cultures, traditional fermentation recipes include sugar and are fermented at ambient temperatures ranging from 80-90° F, making fermentation quite fast.
  5. Oxygen: Certain microbes love oxygen, certain microbes love anaerobic environments. Oxygen levels directly influence which microbes thrive. Everything has to stay submerged in the liquid while fermenting or in an air-tight container like a fermentation crock.
  6. Initial Acidity: Some microbes love acid, and some die in acid. The initial pH and a progressive drop in pH of fermented vegetable influences which microorganisms grow and how acidic the final pH is.
an open jar of roasted garlic and black pepper sauerkraut.

Six Ways to Keep the pH of Fermented Foods in Check 

Food safety in fermentation means controlling these independent variables to ensure the best microbial composition, thus, the best microbial byproducts produced and pH.

Therefore, many things can happen when we do not control the variables. 

1. Substrate

Just like eating many different vegetables influences the composition of your microbiome, fermenting different vegetables changes the structure of the microbial fermentation community.

Vegetables & fruits with ample sugars, for instance, can encourage yeasts to thrive, leading to excess alcohol production and possible acid metabolism by yeats. Sometimes this can negate the preservative effects of pH decrease.

Including animal products in fermentation, like whey and fish paste, can lead to microbial-produced biogenic amines. This can cause histamine reactions for some people when consumed. 

I stick to vegan fermented vegetables only, and if I use fruit in fermented vegetables, the fruit does not make up more than 1/4 of the ingredients.

2. Total Salt Concentration

Not using the proper salt concentration is a major cause of concern. Salt concentration controls initial microbial growth before lactic acid bacteria can produce acid to preserve the vegetables.

Salt roots for Leuconostoc bacteria to start thriving while discouraging yeasts, fungi, and potential pathogens from thriving. This leads to a quick and safe drop in pH.

An adequate salt concentration is vital and extremely effective in controlling dangerous fungi, gram-negative bacteria, and the toxins they can produce in fermentation.

This is because specific salt concentrations encourage the growth of desirable, beneficial microorganisms that rapidly and steadily decrease the pH and preserve the vegetables. These species include Leuconostoc spp. and Lactobacillus spp.

You can reference The Complete Guide to Safely Using Salt in Vegetable Fermentation if you’re looking for guidance on calculating and measuring salt concentrations.

3. Time

Too short of a fermentation time robs you of many beneficial postbiotic compounds. When given enough time, Lactobacillus spp. produce bioactive peptides and polyphenols that are wonderful for health.

Lactobacillus only start to thrive, metabolize, and produce their byproducts after about 7-14 days of fermentation. So, being patient with fermentation projects is the way to go. Anything after seven days is probably okay to taste test, but I like my ferments right around 21-28 days for maximum health benefits and flavor.

Fermenting vegetables for a proper amount of time also influences biogenic amine (histamine) content. If Lactobacillus spp. are given enough time to thrive and then metabolize, a lot of these species have the ability to degrade and decrease biogenic amines in all types of fermented foods.

4. Temperature

Putting your fermentation projects in the fridge too early can lead to low acid production and not enough acid for proper preservation.

On the other hand, fermenting at too high a temperature can cause spoilage microorganisms to thrive in excess in the first five days of fermentation, resulting in unpleasant flavors and poor sensory qualities.

The ideal temperature for vegetable fermentation is between 60 and 90° F (absolute maximum). I like my fermentation temperature right at about 78 degrees F.

5. Oxygen

Fungi will find a way to grow if all ingredients are not submerged in the liquid during fermentation. Fungi do undesirable things in vegetable fermentation. Some fungi produce toxins, and some can metabolize acids, increasing the pH and negating the preservation effects of lactic acid fermentation. 

You can learn more about keeping fermented vegetables anaerobic here: How to Keep Fermented Foods Anaerobic

6. Initial Acidity

The initial pH of fermented vegetables influences which microorganisms grow. Generally, an initial pH around 6 is a good place to start. Then, a steady decrease to more acidic conditions is vital. An anaerobic environment may not form if the fermented vegetables start too acidic. Using pH strips is a great way to monitor the changes in pH throughout fermentation.

You do not need to fear fermentation because setting up the right microbes for fermentation success is easy.

Maintaining the pH of Fermented Foods is Easy

What if I told you that all you have to do is weigh your ingredients and keep everything submerged in the brine? That’s it.

All you need is:

  • a $5-$15 food scale
  • a glass jar
  • a rust free plastic lid
  • a fermentation weight
  • salt, vegetables, and water

VIOLA! Perfect microbes and perfect ferments every time. 

Easy Fermented Foods Recipes and More

  • Roasted Jalapeno Sauerkraut with Dill and Garlic
  • Easy Fermented Zucchini Pickles with Thyme and Lemon
  • Fermented Cucumbers: Fermenting Sliced Cucumbers Two Ways
  • Green Onion Kimchi Inspired Fermented Relish

References

Toxins in Fermented Foods: Prevalence and Preventions

Effects of different types of salts on the growth of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts during kimchi fermentation

Effect of salt concentration on microbial communities, physicochemical properties, and metabolite profile during spontaneous fermentation of Chinese northeast sauerkraut

Establishment Limitation Constrains the Abundance of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Napa Cabbage Phyllosphere

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Kaitlynn Fenley Author, Educator, Food Microbiologist
Kaitlynn is a food microbiologist and fermentation expert teaching people how to ferment foods and drinks at home.
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  1. gary
    08|09|2020

    is there a certain type of salt to be used when fermenting food

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      08|09|2020

      I like to use solar evaporated, unrefined sea salt. Any salt will work though, as long as you weigh the salt to measure it. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kevin Small
    08|14|2023

    Greetings, got a question for you if you don’t mind. I tried fermenting a mason jar of Carolina reapers in a 3% brine. Airlock etc. I let it sit for 9 months and when I opened it just now to test the ph it was around 7. I assumed after all that time it would have been below 4. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      08|14|2023

      I think that the peppers contain too much capsaicin, so no beneficial fermentation microbes grew. I wouldn’t be surprised if there aren’t many bacteria on the surface of a Carolina Reaper pepper to begin with. At such a high concentration, capsaicin is bactericidal.

      Reply
  3. Lily Winter
    10|10|2023

    Thank you for this article. I am trying to work out if and how fermented food fits into a GERD food plan. If I test a red liquid with PH papers, will it read accurately or just mask the result with red color? I’m thinking especially about wine and kimchi. Thanks, Lily

    Reply
  4. Ken
    03|28|2024

    If the pickles need to be stored in an airtight environment, what is the best way to test the PH to ensure the PH is falling at an appropriate speed? Opening the container to test the PH daily would introduce oxygen. What is the number of days/hours from start, until the PH should be below 4? Any suggestions on the best way to control temperature? I’m currently trying to use a wine fridge which has a max temp of 66F. This is in the specified range, but I haven’t found any device that would maintain your recommended temp of 78. The fridge that I purchased has the highest temp setting of any fridge I found.

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      03|29|2024

      You can open the container. Opening it does not introduce oxygen to the brine. Everything needs to stay below the brine, and everything below the brine is anaerobic, so opening the jar doesn’t matter. It needs to be an airtight container to prevent evaporation and to prevent bugs from getting in. How long the pH takes to drop depends on what you’re fermenting and the temperature. I like an optimal temperature of 78, but a range anywhere between 60-90 is great for fermentation.

      Reply
  5. Bonnie Cammisano
    05|09|2024

    Hi ,
    New to fermenting , i am so happy i found your page🙌 on what day of fermentation would you test the PH? I am trying your old bay pickles. I am on day 6 and the PH is 5, do i wait it out?

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      05|09|2024

      I test when fermentation is complete. There is a timeline above the recipe card in the blog! I always let my pickles ferment for 14 days.

      Reply

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✨Google✨ “jalapeño sauerkraut” and you’ ✨Google✨ “jalapeño sauerkraut” and you’ll see my recipe, it’s the first one. 

#jalapeño #sauerkraut #fermentation
feeling anxious 👉 fermented pickles Recent res feeling anxious 👉 fermented pickles

Recent research has shown that shifts in GABA levels, both in the bloodstream and the brain, are closely linked to changes in gut bacteria. These changes play a significant role in our mental health.

Simply put, a higher proportion of GABA-producing microbes in the gut leads to better mental health and a much lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.

Interestingly, much of the GABA found in our bloodstream comes from both our gut microbiome and the food we eat. Studies have identified GABA-producing bacteria in the human gut, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides, as well as in fermented foods, such as Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, and Weisella. These microorganisms are now being researched for their potential as probiotic therapies to support mental health and combat neurodegenerative diseases.

While the use of fermented foods in mental health care shows promise, more clinical studies are needed to fully understand how these probiotics work and their true impact. Researchers are diving into how specific strains, their metabolites, and the overall composition of fermented foods can affect brain health.

But I think it’s no wonder I feel my best when I’m eating a variety of fermented foods every day!

#pickles #mustard #fermentation 

Sources 👉 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-024-00253-2
Peach preserves in kombucha was a success! Flavo Peach preserves in kombucha was a success! 

Flavoring a peach kombucha with peach preserves takes a little longer to carbonate than a secondary ferment with pure fruit juice. And that makes sense!

There’s is a little bit of available fermentable sugar from the peaches in the preserves. But mainly, the microbes have to first enzymatically breakdown the sucrose in the preserves into glucose and fructose, before the yeast can ferment the fructose into CO2 (aka the bubbles) and acids. 

I included directions for using bottled juice, fresh juice and preserves (or jam) in my summer peach kombucha recipe! Get the full recipe with all the options through the recipe index, linked in my bio. 🍑🫧

#peach #kombucha #fermentation
sourdough discard 🤝 cottage cheese combined tw sourdough discard 🤝 cottage cheese

combined two of the best fermented foods to make the best pancakes. And yes, you can ferment the batter overnight in the fridge for easier digestion. 

My recipe makes 15 pancakes and each serving of 3 pancakes had 17 grams of protein! 

Get the recipe from my recipe index, linked in my profile✨

#sourdough #cottagecheese #pancakes #fermentation
It can suppress overgrowth of Candida albicans, wh It can suppress overgrowth of Candida albicans, while boosting good bacteria in your gut! 

Roasting garlic increases beneficial garlic compounds like diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide — or DADS, for short. Both of these compounds have been studied for their anti-inflammatory (anti-cancer), antioxidant, and antifungal properties.

It’s definitely a sauerkraut you should keep in your rotation.

To get the recipe google “garlic sauerkraut.” and you’ll see mine it’s the first one.

Sources:
PMC8777027 (Diallyl Disulfide (DADS) Ameliorates Intestinal Candida albicansInfection by Modulating the Gut microbiota and Metabolites and Providing Intestinal Protection)

https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9100401 (diallyl disulfide (DADS) shows a substantial increase, with concentrations rising from 1.6 mg/g in non-fermented garlic to 4.8 mg/g in its fermented counterpart, suggesting enhanced bioactivity through fermentation)
✨Cottage Cheese Ice Cream✨with Brown Butter an ✨Cottage Cheese Ice Cream✨with Brown Butter and Vanilla

I know, I know, I’m making everything with cottage cheese right now. But how can I not? Cottage cheese is one of the most protein-rich fermented foods.

If you love ice cream and cheesecake-like flavor, you’ll love this recipe. it’s high in protein, requires only four simple ingredients, and does not require churning. So, you do not need an ice cream maker!

A half-cup serving of this ice cream has 12 grams of protein, making it a healthy and balanced sweet snack. Get the recipe from the recipe index linked in my profile. 

#cottagecheese #icecream
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