This is the most common kimchi I can get locally where I am right now and there is a very strong soda taste to it. Apart from the carbonation it tastes and smells alright. I don’t mind some carbonation but all the batches I’ve gotten basically is like eating kimchi and soda water. Is this normal? Anything I can do to lessen the carbonation?
by indogirl
2 Comments
It usually means that it was poorly handled especially if it’s not near it’s used by date.
Kimchi that is fizzy has overfermented. I’d be inclined to throw it out or in your case if it’s new, I’d consider refunding it or never purchasing it again.
Good kimchi should have some tartness from the fermentation but it shouldn’t be fizzy.
Have you ever had kombucha? It’s also fizzy from the fermentation process. I wouldn’t throw it out. It’s totally safe to eat. They’re just microorganisms from the fermentation process.
I actually tap the bottles at my Asian market and buy the one with the activity (fizzy) because I live in a semi rural area. The fizziness tells me it’s active and it won’t be bad/musty flavored because it’s something I’ve had to deal with here before. The fizz will decrease over time and become more sour (the microorganisms are running out of food.) That’s when I use it for soup.
“*The microorganisms essential for kimchi production can be divided into lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast. LAB are formed in the early stages of kimchi fermentation, whereas yeast is known to be formed in the middle stages of kimchi fermentation.*” – NIH.
“*I’ve bought a jar of kimchi and it was fizzy when I opened it. Is it still okay?*
*Some jars and batches are fizzier than others, as kimchi is a living, fermented product – it’s the lactic acid bacteria in kimchi being extra-active at producing carbon dioxide (the bubbles). This doesn’t affect the safety or tastiness of the product.*
*Keep your jars refrigerated to tame their fizziness and to loosen their lid every now and then (sometimes called ‘burping’ it) to release any small pressure build up.*” – [kimhongkimchi](https://www.kimkongkimchi.com/faq/)