I was very excited to receive the PR email offering me a review copy of this book. As you might be aware from my kombucha posts, I'm kind of obsessed with experimenting with kombucha and other fermented drinks so I was delighted at the opportunity to review this book. It is a nice hard bound book with beautiful photographs and the occasional interesting flavor combination.
I was really prepared to fall in love with this cookbook but the overall quality simply does not merit a glowing review. On her blog, Julia Mueller states that she began writing this cookbook in February 2013 and moved on to her second by June 2013. This cookbook really shows the rushed writing and recipe development that such a schedule must require. The yogurt section seems misplaced in a drinks book and the smoothies (while acceptable as a probiotic drink) seem like a page filler. The paragraphs and are short and choppy and information is presented in a sporadic and non-intuitive manner. The majority of this cookbook reads like a book proposal and could have benefited from a good edit.
Perhaps the most damning thing about this book is the recipe order. The recipes are not well ordered as after the basic information is presented the flavoring recipes (requiring additional fermentation) are mixed into cocktail style recipes (requiring a fully fermented product). I find this very bothersome and not fermenter friendly in the least.
Overall I recommend checking this one out of the local library if only for the few interesting flavor combinations but pick up a book like 'Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods
' for serious fermentation action!
Small Print: I received a complimentary review copy.
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