My first batches of fermented pickles were made by pouring a salty brine over a jar of packed cucumbers, just like almost all the other online recipes.

Some batches turned out perfect, some moldy. Some of the pickles stayed crispy; others turned to mush.

Have you had a similar experience, Reader?

I wanted to know why, so I started researching and experimenting 👩‍🔬 🔬 and eventually switched to calculating the amount of salt I added based on both the weight of the vegetables packed into my jar and the water in there. 

That simple switch 🔃 made all the difference.

​Salt Concentration Chart for Vegetable Pickles​

As with sauerkraut, the bacteria 🦠 responsible for fermentation need a set salt concentration for safe and consistent fermenting.

You can’t consistently ferment crunchy, tangy vegetables by just pouring a salty brine into a jar of packed vegetables. You rarely end up with enough salt.

So, before you get busy with this year's pickle season, 🌶️🥒🥕🧄 discover the secret to fermenting batch after batch of crunchy pickles.

🧂 Calculate salt numbers correctly!

​https://www.makesauerkraut.com/salt-brine-for-pickles/​

As a Fermentation Made Easy! newsletter subscriber, grab my digital gift 🎁 to you for success on this flavorful adventure:

​Click here to download my Total Salt Concentration Chart.

And, if you want extra help on your pickling adventure, check out my In A Pickle! online course. Everything you need to know to stock your fridge with a variety of gut-healthy, crunchy vegetable snacks such as Traditional Giardiniera, Chicago-Style Giardiniera, Jalapeño Slices, Asparagus Spears, Dilly Bean Pickles, and more.

​https://www.makesauerkraut.com/salt-brine-for-pickles/​

🤔 Reader Question of the Week

More here:

​https://www.makesauerkraut.com/salt-brine-for-pickles/​

📰 In Case You Missed It...

What is the Best Salt for Fermentation {Sauerkraut, Pickles}? In this post, we’ll explore the various types of salt commonly used for fermentation and help you determine which will give you the greatest success. READ

Pickled vs Fermented {Which is Better for Gut Health?} You'll want to understand the difference to consume the most nutritious pickle and garner gut health benefits from fermented foods. READ

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