Sauerkraut: Benefits and Nutritional Value

Sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage dish that is rich in probiotics and nutrients beneficial for gut health.
Category
Food
Where to get
Available in grocery stores and health food stores.
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Sauerkraut FAQ


Image credit: inspiredtaste.net

What does sauerkraut mean?

"1. = SAUERKRAUT, SOURCROUT. Also attrib. and Comb. 2. (Often with capital initial.) A German, esp. a German soldier. Also attrib. and Comb. Derogatory." ^ "Sauerkraut may be 'Liberty Cabbage' " (PDF). The New York Times. 25 April 1918. Retrieved 16 January 2011.

Is sauerkraut a German food?

Sauerkraut is undoubtedly the most famous and most traditional recipe of German and Alsatian cuisines. What is sauerkraut? The term “sauerkraut” (choucroute) is often associated with the whole dish, but sauerkraut is just the thinly cut cabbage that is fermented in brine.

What is sauerkraut & how do you eat it?

You've likely had it topping a hot dog or sandwiched between slices of rye in a Reuben. If you've visited Germany, where it's most famous, you've probably tried it alongside a variety of salty meats. In fact, the word sauerkraut means "sour cabbage" in German, and that's precisely what it is.

Where does sauerkraut come from?

Despite common belief, the origins of sauerkraut lie outside of Europe, and it appears to have originated in China. Due to the lactic acid fermentation process it undergoes, sauerkraut is a source of various strains of lactic acid bacteria. The dish has a slightly sweet, sour and vinegary flavor and a refreshing taste.

Where can I buy sauerkraut?

A person can buy sauerkraut from a regular supermarket or health food shop, or they can make their own. To make sauerkraut, a person will need salt and a medium white, green, pointed, or Savoy cabbage. This equates to about 2–3 pounds (lbs).

Sauerkraut References

If you want to know more about Sauerkraut, consider exploring links below:

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