Causes and Symptoms
- Kimchi tastes bitter.
Kimchi may taste different depending on your taste buds and how the kimchi was prepared (salt concentration, seasoning type, kimchi vegetable type, etc).
➔ Kimchi refrigerators do not change the taste of kimchi.
It is just an appliance used to store kimchi for a longer time period than general refrigerators.
If bitter tasting compounds naturally found in cabbage remain in the kimchi juice or cabbage leaves, they can leave a bitter taste.
If that is the case, the bitter taste vanishes as kimchi ripens.
Warning!
The excessive use of seasoning that suppresses ripening such as ginseng makes the bitter taste more prominent.
Kimchi ripening process
1. Brining the cabbage draws its water content out. The remaining water in the cabbage becomes part of kimchi juice.
2. Kimchi becomes light after dehydration, and will float on top of kimchi juice.
3. Kimchi is fermented in its juice.
4. During the fermenting process, kimchi’s unique taste and flavor are created.
CO2 released during the process makes kimchi crunchy and fresh.
When CO2 gas bubbles are generated during the fermentation process, some use the expression ‘kimchi becoming fizzy’, but it is normal to see this.
Fermentation of kimchi in its juice
When kimchi is stored and fermented in its juice, salt acts as a preservative and prevents the growth of mold.
Minimized exposure to air helps to prevent the discoloration of kimchi.
Also, the growth of salt-resistant lactic acid bacteria keeps the kimchi fresh and flavorful.
This guide was created for all models, so the images or content may be different from your product.
