Got a question about our live fermented foods, gut health, storage, workshops or wholesale? You’ll find clear answers here, whether you’re buying your first jar, learning to ferment or are interested in stocking The Crafty Pickle Co.
Jump to:
- Quick Answers
- Buying Our Ferments
- How to Eat and Use Fermented Foods
- Fermented Foods, Gut Health and Common Myths
- Storage, Safety and Shelf Life
- Delivery, Orders and Refunds
- Workshops and Learning to Ferment
- Wholesale and Stockists
- Sustainability and Giving Back
Quick Answers
Are your ferments pasteurised?
No, our ferments are not pasteurised. They are live, unpasteurised fermented foods, which means they contain the living microbes involved in the fermentation process.
Do your ferments need to be kept in the fridge?
Yes. Please always keep our ferments refrigerated and follow the storage guidance on the jar.
How should I eat fermented foods?
Start with a spoonful alongside meals you already enjoy. Fermented foods are often eaten cold on the side of other dishes, so try them with salads, sandwiches, eggs, grain bowls, soups after cooking, cheese boards or roasted vegetables.
Do you run fermentation workshops?
Yes. We run fermentation workshops for people who want to learn how to ferment with more confidence. You can also learn with us through our online course.
Can businesses stock your products?
Yes. Shops, delis, cafés and other food businesses can enquire about stocking The Crafty Pickle Co. through our wholesale page. We also work with wholesalers.
Buying Our Ferments
Where can I buy your fermented foods?
You can buy our ferments directly from our website where we ship across the UK. You can also find us at selected markets and events in South East Wales and over the border in Bristol and beyond. We are stocked in restaurants, cafés, farm shops and zero waste shops around the UK. If you're a business looking to stock our awesome products check out our wholesale page. Also if you want to stalk our pretty faces and stay up to date, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Which ferment should I try first?
If you are new to fermented foods, start with a flavour that fits the meals you already enjoy. Sauerkraut is often easy to add to everyday meals, while kimchi brings more punch, heat and depth. We've also curated a Starter Collection for those new to our fermented foods.
Do your products contain allergens?
Please check the ingredients and allergen information on each product page before ordering. If you have a serious allergy, contact us before placing an order so we can advise on the most up-to-date information.
How to Eat and Use Fermented Foods
How much fermented food should I eat?
There is no one right amount. If you are new to fermented foods, start with a small spoonful and see how you get on. You can increase gradually if you enjoy it and it suits you.
Can I cook with fermented foods?
Yes, fermented foods are a great way to add flavour and vegetables to meals. However, if you want to keep live cultures intact, add fermented foods after cooking rather than heating them through. We sometimes cook with them instead of adding other seasoning (i.e. salt) and then have a further serving on the side.
What should I eat sauerkraut with?
Sauerkraut works well with sandwiches, salads, eggs, sausages, cheese boards, roast vegetables, sausages, grain bowls, potatoes and soups.
What should I eat kimchi with?
Kimchi is great with rice bowls, burgers, macaroni cheese, noodles, eggs, tofu, pancakes, wraps, soups and grilled or roasted dishes.
Fermented Foods, Gut Health and Common Myths
Are fermented foods good for gut health?
Fermented foods can be a helpful part of a varied, balanced diet. Live, unpasteurised ferments contain microbes involved in fermentation which current research is slowly linking with improved health. Our fermented vegetables also bring flavour and plant diversity to your meals.
They are not a cure or medical treatment. If you have a health condition, are immunocompromised, pregnant or have specific dietary concerns, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.
Are all pickles fermented?
No. Some pickles are made with vinegar (aiming to exclude microbes), while fermented pickles are made through a natural fermentation process which promotes the growth of beneficial microbes. Both can be delicious, but they are not the same thing.
Are fermented foods probiotics?
Some live fermented foods contain beneficial microbes, but “probiotic” has a specific meaning and should be used carefully. One thing we do know is that fermented foods can be a healthy addition to a varied, balanced diet. And, yes, for most of us they're likely to be benefical for our overall gut health, but they still can’t be called probiotic unless they have the evidence to back it up. We prefer to explain our ferments clearly and avoid exaggerated health claims. Read more here.
Can fermented foods cause bloating
For most people fermented foods will not cause bloating. Those who might want to be more careful are those with a diagnosed gut condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who will want to start slow with living fermented foods initially. Learn more about who fermented foods might not be suitable for here.
Storage, Safety and Shelf Life
How should I store my lovely ferments?
Please keep your ferments in the fridge, ideally between 1°C and 5°C. This slows fermentation right down and helps keep the flavour, texture and quality as close as possible to how we intended it when we jarred it.
Our ferments are safe to eat outside of the fridge for short periods. We have had them lab tested for up to 5 days at room temperature and they were safe to eat. Look at us, fancy. We even take these bad boys camping from time to time. But for the best eating experience, the fridge is where they want to be.
Why is my ferment bubbling or leaking?
Bubbling or a little leaking can be normal with live fermented foods. It usually means your ferment has become active again and started fermenting a little more.
This does not mean there is anything wrong with it or that it has become unsafe. It may change the taste, texture or colour slightly, but that is part of dealing with a living food. Give the outside of the jar or tub a quick clean and pop it back in the fridge.
My ferment isn’t bubbling. Is it still alive?
Yes, your ferment can still be alive even if it is not bubbling. Bubbling is not the only sign of a live fermented food.
Ferments are usually most active at warmer temperatures. Once they are chilled, fermentation slows right down, which means you may not see bubbles at all. If it has been stored correctly and looks, smells and tastes as expected, it should be absolutely fine.
How long do your ferments last once opened?
Please follow the best before date and storage instructions on the jar or tub. Once opened, keep your ferment refrigerated and use a clean spoon or fork each time you serve it.
Using clean utensils helps avoid introducing other bits of food or unwanted microbes into the jar, which keeps your ferment in better condition for longer. No double dipping, however tempting.
How do I know if a ferment has gone bad?
If your ferment smells rotten, has visible mould, tastes unpleasant in a way that feels wrong, or the packaging is badly damaged, do not eat it.
Live fermented foods can smell tangy, sour, punchy or funky, depending on the recipe. That is normal. What you are looking out for is a smell, appearance or taste that seems genuinely off, not just lively. If in doubt, get in touch with us before eating it.
Why does my jar look different from the last one?
Small differences in colour, texture and flavour are normal with live fermented foods. We work with fresh vegetables and natural fermentation, so every batch can have its own little personality.
Seasonal vegetables, fermentation time and natural variation can all make a difference. That is part of the beauty of proper fermented food.
Delivery, Orders and Refunds
How does delivery work?
You can place your order through our website and shipping is calculated at checkout. We post out orders once a week on a Wednesday. Depending on delivery location, orders arrive typically next day but up to 3 days in certain regions (Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland and Islands). Please check our delivery information for the most up-to-date details.
Because our ferments are live foods, please pop them in the fridge as soon as they arrive.
What should I do when my ferments arrive?
When your ferments arrive, unpack them and put them in the fridge as soon as you can. A little bubbling or pressure can happen in transit, especially with live ferments, so open carefully.
If anything looks badly damaged or you are worried about your order, please contact us and include your order details and a photo if you can.
Can I get a refund?
If there is a problem with your order, please get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can look into it properly. Include your order number, what has happened and, if relevant, a clear photo.
Because food products are involved, refunds are handled case by case and in line with our refund policy. You can read the full policy here: Refund Policy.
Workshops and Learning to Ferment
Do you run fermentation workshops?
Yes, we run fermentation workshops for people who want to learn how to ferment with more confidence. You can find our current workshop options on our workshops page.
Do I need any experience before joining a workshop?
No experience is needed unless a specific workshop says otherwise. Our workshops are designed to help you understand the process, ask questions and feel more confident making ferments yourself.
Do you offer an online fermentation course?
Yes, we offer an online fermentation course for people who want to learn at home and go at their own pace.
Wholesale and Stockists
Can my shop, café or deli stock your ferments?
Yes, food businesses can enquire about stocking The Crafty Pickle Co. products through our wholesale page.
Who are your ferments a good fit for?
Our ferments can be a good fit for independent shops, delis, cafés, farm shops, food halls, refill shops, retreats, events and hospitality businesses looking for live, flavour-packed fermented foods.
How do I become a stockist?
The best place to start is our wholesale page. Tell us a little about your business, where you are based and what you are interested in stocking, and we can take it from there.
Sustainability, Food Waste and Giving Back
Is your packaging sustainable?
Our glass jars, lids and plastic tubs are fully recyclable, and our paper labels are peelable so they can be removed and reused too.
We encourage you to reuse the packaging where you can. We use plastic tubs for storing ingredients in the kitchen and glass jars for everything from elastic bands to pens. We have even decorated them as little tealight gifts. Cute and practical. The dream.
What’s with the logo?
Our logo was created to say something about who we are, not just what we make. The Crafty Pickle Co. is about fermentation, yes, but it is also about food waste, transparency and doing business in a way that actually means something.
Some people might find the image a bit shocking or unappetising. But so is the amount of food wasted every day, and the number of people who go to bed hungry each night. We use our brand to highlight food waste and support a cause we believe everyone should care about.
We are also science advocates, which means we will not make unsubstantiated health claims about our products. We would much rather tell you what our ferments are, how they are made and why we love them.
So, why are you still sitting there reading this? Go and try one of our ferments today.
How much food have you currently rescued?
We’re working on keeping this figure updated, because it matters to us and we know it matters to many of our customers too. As of late 2026 we've rescued more than 6 tonnes of perfectly edible produce from the bin.
For the latest on our food waste mission, visit our Ferments Fighting Food Waste page.
Read about Ferments Fighting Food Waste
Which charities do you support?
Since we began in 2019 we've made a quarterly donation to various FareShare charities (primarily in Scotland and Wales where our business has been based). FareShare helps redistribute surplus food to local communities who need it most, fighting the big problem with food insecurity we have in the UK. We donate between 1-2% of our turnover to support the incredible work they do. Since we donate a proportion of sales (not profit) you can be reassured that every jar you buy is helping make a difference!