We Walk You Through the Major Differences and Similarities of Kimchi vs Sauerkraut
Are you wondering about the differences between kimchi vs sauerkraut? These popular fermented veggie dishes are both cabbage based and both are created through a lacto-fermentation process. Additionally, they both originated in Asia, though we tend to associate sauerkraut with Germany because of its popularity there.
But while they both are packed full of beneficial nutrients, vitamins, and goodness, their flavors are quite different. Read on to learn more about kimchi vs sauerkraut and why you should make room for both of them in your refrigerator (and your heart).
Meet Hosta Hill: family-owned, women-run fermented food experts producing high-quality, naturally fermented Sauerkraut, Kimchi, and Hot Sauce in Western Massachusetts. Packaged by hand and sold raw and unpasteurized, we take pride in our bold, vibrant healing foods.
Whether you’re looking to stock your kitchen with kimchi or sauerkraut (or both), Hosta Hill offers award-winning fare.
Order a Ferment Bundle for 6 Jars of Your Choice!
What you should know about kimchi
Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish that has been gaining popularity all over the world. If you’re thinking about kimchi vs sauerkraut you may know that they are both generally cabbage-based, but kimchi can include an array of vegetables depending on the recipe.
Wondering about taste? The flavors of kimchi play out in the umami center of your tongue with its complex, savory taste falling somewhere in the salty, sour, and spicey zone. An appealing fresh crunch gives it a texture that will make you come back for more, and maybe stick it on your next hotdog. While it depends on the specific kimchi you’re enjoying, it usually has a spicy kick.
Kimchi can be used in many of your go-to recipes, adding great flavor to soups, tossed in a salad, or just mixed with rice or your favorite grain. It’s a surprisingly delicious pizza topping, and excellent in a sandwich. Plus, leftover juice from the kimchi jar can be used to flavor sauces, stews, and even signature cocktails.
What you should know about sauerkraut
When it comes to kimchi vs sauerkraut, many folks are more familiar with sauerkraut because at some point in childhood they tried it on a hot dog or sausage. This tangy, sour cabbage concoction is commonly thought of as German food. Its name is German: a combination of sauer (sour) and kraut (cabbage). And the Germans have been enjoying sauerkraut since the 1600s. But it actually originated in China, where cabbage was fermented with rice wine 2,000 years ago to preserve it for the winter.
Basic sauerkraut contains just two ingredients: cabbage and salt. While cabbage alone is full of good vitamins and nutrients, it’s the fermentation process that makes sauerkraut into a superfood, truly benefitting your whole body. And that’s true of kimchi as well.
Fermentation is the most important similarity to consider when thinking about kimchi vs sauerkraut.
Kimchi vs sauerkraut: lacto-fermentation
During fermentation, bacteria and other microorganisms convert starches and sugars in vegetables to lactic acid, and that acid works as a natural preservative. Before there were refrigerators, foods like kimchi vs sauerkraut could be preserved through the ancient tradition of fermentation.
But fermentation goes beyond preservation to include health benefits. When it comes to kimchi vs sauerkraut, both can bring the gut into balance, reducing inflammation and discomfort and supporting the immune system.
Kimchi vs sauerkraut… time for a taste test!
Now that you’ve got a better idea of kimchi vs sauerkraut, it’s time to try them out and decide for yourself what you love best. We think you’ll probably want to keep your fridge stocked with both, especially since they have great health benefits in addition to great flavors and dynamic uses.
Visit the Hosta Hill store to check out our offerings.
From our traditional sauerkraut and kimchi to our creative new recipes, there’s a lot to try. And we offer a line of krautonics made from the brines, to enjoy as a wake-up shot, a tasty digestif, or an ingredient in your favorite cocktails.